Trans-Siberian Orchestra
From Academic Kids
Beethoven's_Last_Night.jpg
Trans-Siberian Orchestra is a rock orchestra founded by Paul O'Neill, Robert Kinkel, and Jon Oliva in 1996.
Biography
Trans-Siberian Orchestra was founded in 1996 in New York City by composers Paul O'Neill, Robert Kinkel, and Savatage lead singer Jon Oliva. All three still work with the band.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra quickly released one of their most well-known works, Christmas Eve and Other Stories, and soon became notable as a rock band that played Christmas music in a rock opera style that appealed to adults and youth alike. Following a similar path to the band's first release, their 1998 release The Christmas Attic was also a concept album with a Christmas theme. In 2000, they released their first (and so far only) non-Christmas album, Beethoven's Last Night. Beethoven's Last Night is a concept album about Ludwig van Beethoven's last night on earth, during which he meets Mephistopheles.
After several years of touring, they returned to the studio with another full-length album, Lost Christmas Eve, and the accompanying DVD/3-CD release The Christmas Trilogy, which contained all three of their Christmas albums to date.
In the recording studio, Trans-Siberian Orchestra uses a full 60-piece orchestra and a choir. As of 2004, their touring band included 14 vocalists, 14 musicians, and 2 narrators.
The band is, as of early 2005, working on a new, non-Christmas album, entitled "Nightcastle." It is expected to feature the band's rendition of "O Fortuna," performed as a preview by the band during the 2004 tour.
Discography
- Christmas Eve and Other Stories (1996)
- The Christmas Attic (1998)
- Beethoven's Last Night (2000)
- Lost Christmas Eve (2004)
- Christmas Trilogy (2004) (3 CDs and one DVD)
External links
- Official Website (http://www.trans-siberian.com/)
- Official Biography (http://www.trans-siberian.com/about/biography.shtml)
