Christmas Rocks When TSO Hits Town

Limelight Imaging was privileged to witness a Christmas holiday spectacular on Thursday, December 18, 2014 as the progressive rock band, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, stopped by the University of Texas Frank Erwin Center and presented a phenomenal program sure to awaken the heart of even the most diehard Scrooge.  This year’s tour covered the band’s 1998 rock opera album, “The Christmas Attic.”

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra was founded in 1996 by producer, composer, and lyricist Paul O’Neill. Over the years, the band has released a series of rock operas including a Christmas trilogy, of which “The Christmas Attic” was the second installment. This is the sixteenth year the group has presented a winter tour featuring one of the parts of the Christmas trilogy. For the first 13 years the group performed part one: “Christmas Eve and Other Stories.” In 2012 and 2013 TSO performed the third part of the trilogy, “The Lost Christmas Eve.” After many requests from TSO fans, O’Neill decided this was the year to finally present “The Christmas Attic.”

As with all of TSO’s rock operas, a special story is told during their presentation of “The Christmas Attic.” This story, and the stories portrayed in each of TSO’s rock operas, can be found in its entirety on the band’s website, but here is a short synopsis of “The Christmas Attic.” 

On one Christmas Eve, The Lord sends his youngest Angel back to earth with the mission to leave the one thing behind that would most benefit all of mankind. The Angel is not sure what this thing could be, but then he hears the prayers of a young girl who has become confused after older children told her Christmas isn’t real. It’s only made up by adults to amuse children.  This makes the little girl very sad.

When the girl cannot fall asleep, she creeps up into the attic and waits to see if Santa will arrive and deliver his gifts.  The Angel knows the little girl is looking for proof that Christmas exists and he decides the best way to make in impact on her is through items from past Christmases.   

While the girl explores the attic, the Angel guides her to a trunk filled with Christmas memories and he whispers to her the idea that exploring the trunk’s contents might be a good way to pass the time. When the little girl opens the truck she finds ornaments, toys, old records, and a stack of yellowed letters and Christmas cards written long before she was born. 

As she reads each letter, the little girl learns how Christmas touched each person’s life. Through the letters, she learns that Christmas is truly a magical day. The Angel realizes he has completed his mission since the little girl once again believes in the magic of Christmas and she will be able to help others believe also.  Then the Angel returns to heaven. 

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra brought this story to life in a way only they can, with the extensive use of pyrotechnics, lasers, graphics, and lights, all synchronized to their extraordinary musical performance. With the addition of an enormous truck positioned center stage which opened to reveal parts of the band and videos of the activities happening in the attic, TSO helped the audience feel as though we too were up there in the attic with the little girl. 

As the narrator Phillip Brandon told us the story of The Christmas Attic, the presentation flowed from one incredible piece of music to the next. With each new selection, the audience was introduced to yet another musician or vocalist. The first half of the nearly two and one half hour presentation featured the entire track list of “The Christmas Attic” while the second half of the show, hosted by musical director Al Pitrelli, showcased many of TSOs signature tunes from their other albums, for a total of 25 tracks.

Al Pitrelli

Phillip Brandon

The talent level of the band members and singers associated with The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is second to none. All of these fine musicians could, and many do, front their own bands. During the winter months, the band is divided into two touring troupes, one traveling across the eastern half of the US and the other across the western half. The group performing in Austin was the West coast troupe led by musical director/guitarist, Al Pitrelli.

Angus Clark

Asha Mevlana

Jane Mangini and Andrew Ross

Each year Trans-Siberian Orchestra gives back to a local organization a portion of that city’s ticket sales. Before the show began, members of TSO, concert promoter Stone City Attractions, and DJs from sponsoring radio stations presented a check to The Rise School of Austin, this year’s beneficiary.

If you are a fan of incredible rock musicians and their high-energy music or a fan of Christmas and Christmas music, but have never had the privilege to witness this company of talented artists, you should make an extra effort in 2015 to catch one of their shows. You won’t be disappointed.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra members:
Al Pitrelli- Music director, Guitarist
Angus Clark- Guitarist
Vitalij Kuprij- Keyboards
Jane Mangini- Keyboards
Johnny Lee Middleton- Bass
John O. Reilly- Drums
Asha Mavlana- Violin
Phillip Brandon- Narrator
April Berry- Vocals
John Brink- Vocals
Ava Davis- Vocals
Gabriela Guncikova- Vocals
Nathan James- Vocals
Jodi Katz- Vocals
Chloe Lowery- Vocals
Andrew Ross- Vocals
Bart Shatto- Vocals
Jeff Scott Soto- Vocals

SETLIST:
PART 1
Time and Distance
Winter Palace
The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
Boughs of Holly
The World That He Sees
March of The Kings
The Three Kings and I
Christmas Canon Rock
Joy of Man’s Desire/ An Angel’s Share
Find Our Way Home
Appalachian Snowfall
Music Box Blues
The Snow Came Down
Dream Child (A Christmas Dream)
Christmas In The Air

PART 2:
Christmas Jam
The Mountain
Someday
Night Conceives
Wizards In Winter
Sparks
This Christmas Day
“Keyboard Duel”
Requiem (The Fifth)
Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12-24)