Went to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert last night. Wow, that is a group which never goes half way. They added even more spectacle since last year.
The lighting from the scaffolding moved and shifted with the music, they ran through the audience to a small stage in the back of the TCC which lifted into the air with blue and green smoke jetting out the bottom. They also added pyro to the stage show. Nothing says Christmas to me like giant fireballs!
I really like their set up where the first half of the show they do the narrative rock opera, then go into more of a mix in the second. Once again they played selections from their long promised "Night Castle" CD, I can't wait. "O Fortuna" is really the perfect song for TSO as it makes full use of their Orchestra, Choir, and electric guitars.
The concert does run a tad long at nearly 3 hours, and since every song is such a breath taking spectacle- spectators tend to drift into a sesory overload trance.
It is good that TSO provides such sheer variety to break up the show. The performances range from classical, rock, gospel, poetry, jazz, and showtunes-and probably other styles my untrained ear missed.
The 80 member group breaks into two touring groups for the Christmas season, and between this year and last I enjoyed seeing two slightly different flavor put to the songs by the different performers.
If you missed them this year, don't worry you'll get another chance next Christmas season. This year they experimented with performing in both Phoenix and Tucson, and had a nearly sold out hall both nights
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