Trans-Siberian Orchestra: From Bach to rock The Trans-Siberian Orchestra mixes classical music and contemporary rock in a rich fusion of sound
by Angela Simental
When you think about an orchestra, you might imagine a couple of cellos and violins playing classical songs you can't even pronounce. That may be the case for most orchestras, but not the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Departing from the common perception of what an orchestra is, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is a mixture the classical with the contemporary — like mixing Michelangelo with Andy Warhol.
Their secret ingredients? They add classical melodies a la Mozart and Strauss, the progressive rock of Queen, the metal edge of Black Sabbath and dustings of musical spices that range from gospel to Celtic to Motown to jazz, in an explosion of sound — better known as "symphonic rock."
"We take different styles of music — Broadway, jazz, rock, classic — and present it in a very large stage with a laser show and special effects," explained Al Pitrelli, TSO director.
"It's like having the New York philharmonic and putting them on a KISS show."
TSO appeals to a varied audience, exposing different groups to music they might not otherwise listen.
"We want the audience to appreciate music for being good music, not for its style," Pitrelli said.
Established in 1996 by producer/composer/lyricist Paul O'Neill, who immediately brought onboard long time friends Jon Oliva and Robert Kinkel, TSO's unique brand of symphonic rock has been a mega-success, both on record and the concert stage with fans ages 7 to 70.
"I want folks to walk out saying "that is the greatest show we've ever seen,'" Pitrelli said. "It's something you can share with friends and family."
The band's four CD releases, including the holiday-themed "Christmas Eve & Other Stories" (1996), "The Christmas Attic" (1998), "The Lost Christmas Eve" (2004) and "Beethoven's Last Night" (2000) have sold more than 5 million units, more than 900,000 in 2007 alone. Proving their longevity and growing appeal, three of TSO's disc offerings placed in Billboard's Top 10 Catalog Album Charts in 2007. TSO's 2001 DVD release, "The Ghost of Christmas Eve," also achieved platinum status. TSO will depart from its well-known Christmas recordings and step into a new "non-holiday" direction, as Pitrelli calls it, with its upcoming CD "Night Castle," which will be released by the end of winter, followed by an extensive spring tour.
TSO's popularity has grown exponentially throughout the years. In 1999, they started a tour in seven cities. Now, they have 140 shows around the country.
It was even necessary to split the orchestra to accommodate the shows.
"They wanted us in Boston, in El Paso — all over the U.S.— and physically there was no way to cover that ground," Pitrelli explained.
So now the TSO has two branches, one on the east coast, which basically tours the 13 original colonies, and the west coast branch, which covers the rest of the tours including El Paso, with eight people singing and an eight-piece string section.
"We've been going to El Paso at least eight years," Pitrelli said. "They embrace us and have a sense a of ownership because they've seen us since our beginning."
So, what will be new for TSO this year?
"Yes, the show is more insane than last year," Pitrellli said. "Yet, with the familiarity most repeat offenders (people that attend every year) will recognize."
And as every year, the TSO will not just entertain the audience but have fun with them.
