By Catherine J. Barrier
With our busy lives and the weakened economy, some find it difficult to remain positive much less get into the Christmas spirit, but that should be easier to do in Philadelphia in just a few days, when the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) comes to town.
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| Trans-Siberian Orchestra on Stage at Christmas time Photo by Mark Weiss |
“It’s a very active, intense show!” said Steve Jimmo from Malvern, PA, who, with his wife Cindy, has attended the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s winter concerts in Philadelphia, at the same venue, for the past several years.
“The first thing I’d like to say about the Trans-Siberian Orchestra is that the music and the different voices are incredible!” said Cindy Jimmo. “They have some of the best songs you’ve ever heard. [In past shows we attended,] the narrator’s voice in the first part [of the show], … he has a very engaging voice. [And the Orchestra’s members] were playing the instruments and moving all over the stage; it was so ‘cool’ to watch!”
“The first part of the show is Christmas Eve & Other Stories, and then in the second part, we play strait numbers [of other works] or previews of music we’re working on; for example, Romanov, Gutter Ballet, Night Castle
“In the shows (concerts), there is narration, original music, classical music, blues, . . . there’s something for everybody in the show,” said Wieland.
“There [are] no second-class seats at a Trans-Siberian Orchestra show,” said Paul O’Neill, TSO’s founder, producer, and head composer and lyricist. “I want people to walk out of our shows speechless and . . . still not believing what they have seen was possible.”
On Saturday, November 20th, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra will be appearing for two performances—at 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.—at the Wells Fargo Center (formerly the Wachovia Center), located at 3601 Broad Street, in Philadelphia (19148). Tickets: $25, $36.50, $47.50, and $59 (plus processing fees). For tickets, or for more information, please see www.comcastTIX.com , call 1-(800)-298-4200, or visit the Wells Fargo Center Box Office at the Center.
“The first part of the show was telling a story about Christmas, and the story they [told was] poignant and moving, a real lesson for all,” said Cindy Jimmo.
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| A Sample of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Pyrotechnics Photo by Mark Weiss |
“[Both parts of the show] had very unique pyrotechnics, with the fire changing colors,” said Steve Jimmo. “When you’re sitting near the stage [on the lower section], you can feel the heat on your face, the heat from the colored flames. We were just about at stage level, but I’m sure that even those in the back could feel it. And at one point, it started snowing in the audience, and you could feel the cold in the room.”
“There were several stages, on several levels, probably being raised and lowered on cabled motors, and [the musicians] take turns moving around from one [stage] to another.” said Steve Jimmo. “And so, the lighting was above, raised up, and then lowered. The lights were constantly moving [, too].”
“All the time I’m watching [the show], my mouth is just open in awe,” said Cindy Jimmo. “Sometimes you don’t know where to look. Your eyes are constantly moving; they aren’t just on the stage. You find yourself looking everywhere, just enjoying what’s going on. You’re listening to the music, but [the concert] is so much more than that!”
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| TSO's Founder, Paul O'Neill Photo by Mark Weiss |
In 1996, after having produced some of Savatage’s recorded work, O’Neill formed the core of TSO with Robert Kinkel, a former music student at and graduate of Hamilton College who went on to work as an assistant engineer on productions for artists such as The Who, The Police, Genesis, and Savatage (with Paul O’Neill), and Jon Oliva, a self-taught multi-instrumentalist who founded the rock band Savatage in Tampa in 1981. Al Pitrelli, a former student at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, who recorded and toured with groups such as Alice Cooper, Asia, and Megadeth and is considered one of the most innovative guitarists of our time, joined Savatage in the mid-1990s, working with Paul O’Neill. He later joined the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, completing the 4-member team of co-composers for the group.
“That collaboration [of Paul, Jon, Robert, and Al] is such a seamless one,” said Wieland. “They bring different backgrounds and styles, and that gives so much creative force to the records and the show.”
“Al goes way back and brings an extraordinary dimension to the shows and the recordings,” said Wieland.
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| Trans-Siberian Orchestra on Stage Photo by Mark Weiss |
“I’ve always believed that music has the power to transport and transform,” said O’Neill. “The original concept of Trans-Siberian Orchestra was how to make music have the most emotional impact.”
“The whole idea was to create a progressive rock band that would push the boundaries further than any group before, . . .” said O’Neill.
“Basically, I met the guys about 8 years ago and started playing [with them], and I was very thrilled to be a part of this,” said Derek Wieland.
“Paul’s vision is really amazing!” said Wieland. “His stories are interpreted through the visuals and the music. And he’s really able to bring people together. We have this combination of people from diverse [musical] backgrounds—at the top of their craft—and we’re able to do this together. It’s really exciting!”
“Paul is always developing new stories; for example, the recent Romanov, and we’re in the recording studio in between concerts,” said Wieland.
“Paul is very inspired by history, ideals, and the positive message of hope,” said Wieland. “What’s really important to the band is the message of hope.”
“I think that the story in the show—the Christmas show—[is why our shows are really successful],” said Wieland. “There’s something in it that reaches people at a deep level and gives them hope. Many keep coming back to the concerts every year. It’s a combination of the show and the music. There’s something special there.”
“[What I enjoy most about being involved with TSO], it’s working with Paul and the musicians and singers,” said Wieland. There’s a thrill to performing on that stage and working with people at this level. It’s a wonderful experience. I love it all! It’s hard to pin it down. There’s so much in the show. I have fun doing it—those moments on stage, feeling that feedback. And there’s the reaction from the fans to some parts [of the show]. It thrills you!”
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| TSO's Artistic Director & Keyboardist Derek Wieland Photo by Bob Carey |
“[Each time we’ve gone to see them], they’ve said ‘This (Philadelphia
Trans-Siberian Orchestra is most famous for its critically acclaimed concerts, which take up to 15 hours to set up and combine elements from classical, orchestral, symphonic, progressive, hard rock, and heavy metal music. These incredible concerts have full orchestra, choirs, massive light shows, pyrotechnics, moving “stages”, and lasers—and charity work.
“We normally donate $1.00 per ticket sold to a local charity,” said Wieland. “There are different [charities] chosen for every town. We present the check(s) to the charities at the beginning of the show.” The concert presenting area radio stations normally choose which local charities become the recipients of these checks, as they are more familiar with the area. For the Philadelphia
“We like to put out our appreciation to the military [, too],” said Wieland. “That’s something we do at every show.
“And we’re very aware of the times, and that’s one reason we have tickets starting at $25.00,” said Wieland.
The winter Christmas tour is among these incredible concerts and includes music from TSO’s Christmas Trilogy Box Set (2005). The Christmas Trilogy contains Christmas Eve & Other Stories (1996)—which went double platinum, The Christmas Attic (1998), and The Lost Christmas Eve (2004). Their other albums to date are Beethoven’s Last Night (2000) and Night Castle
TSO first began touring in 1999—in Philadelphia
One of the songs on Christmas Eve & Other Stories, TSO’s debut album, is “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24”. Perhaps one of TSO’s most-known works, the song is actually a former Savatage piece (from their 1995 concept album Dead Winter Dead). Paul O’Neill realized at an early age that Christmas is a special day, a day when people tend to be kinder, more compassionate, to one another. This kindness, or compassion, can be seen on the streets at Christmastime, and even historically, sometimes when during times of war, members of opposing armies have been reported to have ceased fighting on Christmas Eve—and on occasion have even shared a peaceful Christmas meal together before resuming the fighting the following day. This fact was the inspiration behind “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24”, one of the most requested radio songs at Christmastime. The song tells a story of hope amidst the bombing of Sarajevo
To date, TSO has sold more than 7 million albums and played to more than 7 million people in over 80 cities. During its 2009 Winter Tour alone, TSO played to more than 1.2 million fans.
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| Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Known for its Rock Operas Photo by Mark Weiss |
“[Night Castle
“I feel lucky,” said O’Neill, “that we get to do what we love for a living. The arts have incredible power, and with that comes incredible responsibility. Someone once said that if you want to change the world, [ . . . ] write a book, write a great song. I believe in that, and that’s what Trans-Siberian Orchestra is about.”
“When someone goes to a TSO concert, we don’t want them to walk away saying ‘that was a great show’ or ‘that was worth it’ or even ‘that was the best show I’ve seen in a long time’. We want them to say, ‘Man, that was the best show ever; we just ripped that band off’,” said O’Neill.
“I had one of their CDs, but, actually, our neighbor’s sister told us about [the TSO concerts], and we went one year,” said Steve Jimmo. “We’ve gone back every year since because it’s just so great!”
“[The show] really gets you into the Christmas spirit,” said Cindy Jimmo. “With the way the world is today, it’s hard to get into the Christmas spirit, but they get you into it.”
“It’s kind of a show for the whole family,” said Steve Jimmo. “I remember seeing people of all ages there.”
“It doesn’t matter where you sit—on the side, up top, on the floor; there isn’t a bad seat in the place for this show,” said Steve Jimmo.
“No one gets up; no one moves [during the concert],” said Cindy Jimmo. “It’s too interesting!”
“Yeah, they keep you on the edge of your seat,” said Steve Jimmo.
To get into the Christmas spirit, or just to have a phenomenal concert experience, don’t miss the Trans-Siberian Orchestra when it comes to our area.
* Photo credits as marked. All photos used with permission.
© 2010 by Catherine J. Barrier. All rights reserved.
* Photo credits as marked. All photos used with permission.
© 2010 by Catherine J. Barrier. All rights reserved.
