Tran-Siberian Orchestra

Last night the Trans-Siberian Orchestra made, what is quickly becoming, an annual appearance in Toronto. I had never really heard their music before but my wife had and really enjoys it so I went into the concert with no idea what I was in for. I bought the tickets a couple months ago and at the time I had no clue they played Christmas tunes. I found that out a short while after the tickets were bought and had some regrets. As it turns out those regrets were unnecessary as their performance was one of the best I’ve been too.

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is best described as a rock opera. They combine various styles of music into one powerful story that attacks your senses like a rock concert but has the sophistication of an opera. To accompany their inventive music, is a light and laser show that amazes young and old alike and helps create an entire sensory experience. The deep voice of the narrator captures your attention and holds it in a lover’s embrace, letting go only long enough to allow the musical accompaniment to increase your emotional attachment before returning and holding you even tighter. And that is only the first half of the performance.

The second half of the performance turned from an opera to a normal concert format where the orchestra demonstrated more fully their musical genius. Last night, the second half opened rather slowly with a blues number followed by a remake of Credence Clearwater Revival’s Proud Mary. It quickly returned to the high impact, sensory attack of the first half and regained the earlier intensity. With regret we had to leave early and miss the end of the performance. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is definitely a show worth seeing.

Some other things to note about the TSO: before each show they donate a dollar of every ticket sold to a local charity; and after each show they come out and have a bit of a meet and greet and sign autographs as if the venue is turned into their own little after party site. Not only is the music innovative, intense and emotionally charged, but the members of the TSO have more class than the Queen (of England). This event was made possible by the good people at HTZ FM.