By: Brooke Johnpier, Music Department Member
Trans-Siberian Orchestra, more commonly known as TSO, is an American heavy metal band. They are best known for their Christmas music and performances, which have amazing light shows and pyrotechnics. I can tell with the utmost certainty (because I’ve been to multiple shows of theirs) that you can feel the heat from the flames on the stage at the back of the arena in the high 100’s section.
TSO was founded in 1996 in Tampa, Florida. Paul O’Neill brought two members of Savatage (Jon Oliva and Al Pitrelli) and Robert Kinkel together to form the core team for creativity.
That same year, TSO released their first album, Christmas Eve and Other Stories, and was a rock opera. Containing an instrumental originally on Savatage’s rock opera, “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24,” the album remains one of their best-sellers.
September 15, 1998, saw the release of their second studio album, The Christmas Attic. It was the sequel to their first album and followed a very similar format. The album contains the hit, “Christmas Canon,” which is a take on Johan Pachelbel’s “Canon in D Major.” TSO added lyrics and new melodies to make it their own. They would perform this rock opera live in 2014.
April 11, 2000, TSO released their third studio album, Beethoven’s Last Night. This album is a rock opera but follows a different path as it tells the fictional story of Ludwig van Beethoven on the last night of his life. The album has Beethoven fight for his soul with the devil who is named Mephistopheles, and ultimately Beethoven wins his soul back. It’s too hard to explain with words: just listen to the album. I’ve listened to it; it’s a masterpiece. You won’t be disappointed.
In 2004, TSO completed their Christmas trilogy with their fourth album, The Lost Christmas Eve. I have personally seen this performance three times (well, at least part of it. Their performances now are a mix of all of their albums) and can say the storyline is one you just have to listen to to experience.
October 27, 2009, saw TSO release their fifth album, Night Castle. This album is my personal favorite from the band and was many other people’s favorites as well as it was well-received by both fans and critics alike. It landed at number five on the Billboard Album charts. This album is their first to be a not complete rock opera with the first half being an opera, but the second half paying homage to TSO’s influencers.
TSO have released a multitude of other albums, but those are the only ones I wanted to focus on.
All I have to say about TSO is that they’re a band you have to listen to, and see live, to get their full experience. They are the kings and queens of rock operas and performing, and from someone who has seen them multiple times, I promise you that it is worth it. The light shows, pyrotechnics, orchestration, and the way the narrator speaks is just an immersive experience you need to see in-person. Solid 10/10.
Want to share your thoughts? Have a band/artist you want to be featured? Email Brooke at johnpibl23@bonaventure.edu!
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