December 14, 2025
LIFE + DEATH. GENIUS + JEALOUSY.
We’ve invited all of the major players: Rimsky-Korsakov, Pushkin, Mozart and Salieri. It’s high time these four had it out! And the mediator, of course – ensuring that truth prevails as they grapple with thoughts on Life + Death, Genius + Jealousy – is none other than Clio, the lyre-strumming Muse of History. But first: who was Salieri? And how did he become the archetype of jealousy and… a criminal? What really happened between Mozart (the genius) and Salieri (the beloved teacher)? Not to mention: could such a person, a mentor to the likes of Schubert and Beethoven, commit as heinous a crime of passion? So many questions to ponder as we witness Rimsky-Korsakov’s rarely performed, one-act opera Mozart and Salieri. As if that wasn’t enough, we’ve invited Mussorgsky (and his Songs and Dances of Death) to weigh in too: “Life, wherever it reveals itself; truth, no matter how bitter… these are what I want.” And so do we!
Featuring:
Benjamin Butterfield, tenor (Mozart) | Mira Kardan, cello | Peter McGillivray, bass baritone (Salieri) | Nancy Palk, actor | Inna Perkis, piano | Elina Kelebeev, piano | Boris Zarankin, piano | Julia Zarankin, host
Off Centre Music Salon presents:
Shostakovich’s 24 Preludes,
a Bechstein Piano and Boris:
Telling Life Stories
An “Off Centre” Art Film - conceived and developed by Inna Perkis and Boris Zarankin
Introduction and historical context provided by Dr. Julia Zarankin
From Glenn Gould to Oscar Peterson
to Boris Zarankin, a piano is a very individual choice
From William Littler at Toronto Star
Pianos are more individual than is sometimes realized. When I was on the jury of the Sydney International Piano Competition in Australia, I noticed that the contestants were offered a choice of four different pianos. Although most initially chose Steinway, by the final round some switched allegiance to Yamaha. Steinway had neglected to send a technician to maintain its piano in tip-top condition.
Boris Zarankin’s 1879 Bechstein from Berlin was by no means in tip-top condition when the Toronto pianist bought it in Seattle many years ago. But after submitting it to a thorough restoration, he found it to be an ideal agent for his recording of Shostakovich’s “24 Preludes.”
Read the full article at Toronto Star
Current Season Artists
For a complete list of our 2025-26 artists click here.