------Feature • Trans-Siberian Orchestra------Learn Christmas in April toplay! at Fort Wayne’s Premier Music Academy The Sweetwater Academy of Music

By Chris Hupe main focus of this spring’s tour. According to the TSO website, Beethoven’s Last Night tells the fictional First lesson FREE Trans-Siberian Orchestra are coming to town, so story of “Ludwig Von Beethoven on the last night of with purchase Christmas must be right around the corner, right? Well, his life, as the devil, Mephistopheles, comes to col- not really. We’re closer to the season of sunburns and lect his soul. With the help of Fate and her son Twist, of one month of pool parties than we are to Christmas, so one might Beethoven unwittingly tricks the devil and is allowed lessons wonder why a band famous for its Christmas music to keep his soul which he had thought lost, but that the Guitar would be touring in April. devil had no claim on.” Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? Call today! It may surprise some that the roots of Trans- In the live setting TSO have added a narrative to the Siberian Orchestra actually date back to 1978 when story similar to the one used at their Christmas shows brothers Jon and Criss Oliva formed a metal band that and, of course, will enhance the production with the would eventually become known as Savatage. Lauded band’s trademark pyrotechnics, laser light show and for their superior musicianship and their uncanny abil- on-stage theatrics. ity to weave their music into the story of a concept One of the most interesting parts of any TSO album (sound familiar?), Savatage released a dozen show is people watching, noticing the distinct cross- albums over an 18-year section of people who period, including the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA took time out of their day commercially success- BEETHOVEN’S LAST NIGHT 2012 to attend what is, for all Piano ful Hall of the Mountain intents and purposes, a King and the critically Wednesday, April 25 • 7:30 p.m. full-on heavy metal pro- acclaimed Gutter Ballet. Allen Co. War Memorial Coliseum duction. It is not uncom- But it was 1995’s Dead 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne mon to see a lady in her Winter Dead that would 70s sitting next to angst- become the most impor- Tix: $37-$57thru Ticketmaster & ridden teens sitting next tant album for the future Coliseum box office, 260-483-1111 to twentysomethings and of the band’s members. their kids out for a family Included on that album was a song called “Christmas outing. For Pitrelli, this sight has become the norm, Eve (Sarajevo 12/24),” a song that turned a lot of heads not the exception. “Seeing crowds like that doesn’t for its originality and became an unexpected hit, giv- seem strange to me anymore. What actually seems Drums ing rise to the idea that some of the members would strange to me is the rare times when we don’t have like to explore this type of music further, eventually that cross-section of America at a show. When we see giving birth to a new band, Trans-Siberian Orchestra. a kid in a Megadeth shirt sitting next to a grandma cro- “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)” would later be re- cheting reindeer sweaters, that’s when we feel most t Finest Local Instructors leased as “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” on TSO’s comfortable. Seeing all these different kinds of people Years of performing and teaching experience first album, Christmas Eve and Other Stories, and has enjoy our music is the biggest thrill for us.” become TSO’s signature song. A new Trans-Siberian Orchestra CD is in the According to guitarist Al Pitrelli, the transition works, but Pitrelli says there is no timetable for its t Personalized Lesson Plans from Savatage to Trans-Siberian Orchestra wasn’t release. “Paul is always writing music and is starting Instruction tailored to your skill level so much a conscious decision as it was a songwrit- to work on material for the new album now,” he said. ing progression. “Over the years, it just kind of hap- “By the time we get done with the tour, he should have pened,” Pitrelli said in a recent interview. “As Sav- some stuff ready for us, and we will record all sum- t Gain Performance Experience atage matured as a band, Paul (O’Neill, one of the mer.” When it’s time to head out on the Christmas tour Recitals in state-of-the-art Performance Theatre bands main songwriters) had pretty much mastered again, they’ll stop recording and start working on pro- the art of balancing classical themes and rock n’ roll duction for that tour, whether the new album is done in his songwriting. We knew we had made a good re- or not. It’s a tedious, time-consuming process, but the cord in Dead Winter Dead, but I think the attention end results thus far can’t be disputed. “Christmas Eve” ended up getting caught us, and all O’Neill, Pitrelli, Jon Oliva and a touring cast of of America, off guard. I compare what happened with dozens per night have found a formula that works, TSO to having a baby. We gave birth to it, then nur- composing and performing music that combines metal tured it and watched it grow up.” Now it continues to and classical themes and putting it in front of a new grow and explore new musical territories, including audience that overlooks labels and simply appreci- non-Christmas-themed material. ates great songwriting and a visually exciting show. In that vein, Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s two non- Though it may still be a while before they get new Call (260) 432-8176 Christmas albums are their latest album, Night Castle, music to devour, TSO fans know when a new CD does and Beethoven’s Last Night, released in 2000 and the emerge, it will have been well worth the wait. or visit Sweetwater.com April 19, ’12------www.whatzup.com------7