Trans-Siberian Orchestra

[escape]

DH and I are going the 21st of this month. We saw them last year as well. Very good!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I saw them at the LA Forum last Wednesday night (11/29) with my daughter, a co-worker & her boyfriend. The music wasn't what I expected, and the kind I don't normally listen to. I think I was thinking more like Mannheim Steamroller type. It was a harder rock.

Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed the show. The first half was Christmas music - well, their version of it, and the second half was other music. They are so talented, and their love of their music and performing it really comes through. I loved their finale. It was definitely a wow moment.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Is this a show kids would like?

 

[ntburns22]

Is this a show kids would like?

I think it depends on what ages. My DD7 in January enjoys the CDs we have but the concert is long. I think I have a couple years before I would take her. The lights can be very intense at times.

 

[barkley]

we went yesterday to their performance, and while i enjoyed it-i found it to be an awfuly long concert to go without any type of intermission, way too loud-and the lighting effects overwhelming at times.

we had good seats, and i was glad they were to the side and not directly in front of the stage (those folks were in a perpetual haze of fog and i suspect did'nt notice all the projections at the rear of the auditorium-they also had to turn around in their seats to see the performers who were on the hydraulic lift in back of them). i tend to get headaches when music is too loud, and not knowing how loud it would be i took a pair of ear protectors 'just in case'-i ended up wearing them for the bulk of the performance and dh confessed he would have liked a pair as well (and he likes loud concert experiences). i also noticed that some folks had brought sunglasses that they put on during some of the lighting effects (the strobes get pretty intense).

the first part was the christmas music and while the orchestra and choir sounded great-a couple of the solo singers did the style of screaming lyrics which i'm not particularly fond of (the choral stuff and one of the male soloists was awsome though)-i also was not keen on the narrator, they said he had been doing for them for 7 years, but his style of speech was very odd to our ears (we both said later it reminded us of william shatner in the 'star trek' style-emphasizing some words, odd pauses and such). second half we enjoyed much more-mix of classical, jazz and hard rock. in between the 2 halfs after the introduction of all the members it was announced that there would be a special surprise at the end of the show-it ended up being 'jon anderson' of the group 'yes' who came onstage and did the final number with the entire group (one of his popular songs from 'back in the day')-the audience realy enjoyed it.

all in all i enjoyed it, but i did find it exhausting-close to 3 hours solid of VERY loud music, very bright/pulsing/flashing lights was not what i realy expected (i assumed there would be some more low key numbers). i did see a number of people with kids leave mid way through, and there were quite a few people who took long breaks in the lobby areas (where you could still hear everything but it was a bit more managable).

 

[Skatermom23]

we went yesterday to their performance, and while i enjoyed it-i found it to be an awfuly long concert to go without any type of intermission, way too loud-and the lighting effects overwhelming at times.

Last year they had an intermission between the Christmas portion and the other part. I wonder why they changed it this year? We are going to see them in Richmond on the 15th! Can't wait!

 

[barkley]

Last year they had an intermission between the Christmas portion and the other part. I wonder why they changed it this year? We are going to see them in Richmond on the 15th! Can't wait!

no intermission and the show ran just shy of 3 hours.

 

[ntburns22]

Last year they had an intermission between the Christmas portion and the other part. I wonder why they changed it this year? We are going to see them in Richmond on the 15th! Can't wait!

No Intermission this year. I went last year too and the intermission was so nice to have. I really missed it this year. I could have used an extra water bottle, but I was in the middle of the row.

 

[crazyme5kids]

we went yesterday to their performance, and while i enjoyed it-i found it to be an awfuly long concert to go without any type of intermission, way too loud-and the lighting effects overwhelming at times.

we had good seats, and i was glad they were to the side and not directly in front of the stage (those folks were in a perpetual haze of fog and i suspect did'nt notice all the projections at the rear of the auditorium-they also had to turn around in their seats to see the performers who were on the hydraulic lift in back of them). i tend to get headaches when music is too loud, and not knowing how loud it would be i took a pair of ear protectors 'just in case'-i ended up wearing them for the bulk of the performance and dh confessed he would have liked a pair as well (and he likes loud concert experiences). i also noticed that some folks had brought sunglasses that they put on during some of the lighting effects (the strobes get pretty intense).

the first part was the christmas music and while the orchestra and choir sounded great-a couple of the solo singers did the style of screaming lyrics which i'm not particularly fond of (the choral stuff and one of the male soloists was awsome though)-i also was not keen on the narrator, they said he had been doing for them for 7 years, but his style of speech was very odd to our ears (we both said later it reminded us of william shatner in the 'star trek' style-emphasizing some words, odd pauses and such). second half we enjoyed much more-mix of classical, jazz and hard rock. in between the 2 halfs after the introduction of all the members it was announced that there would be a special surprise at the end of the show-it ended up being 'jon anderson' of the group 'yes' who came onstage and did the final number with the entire group (one of his popular songs from 'back in the day')-the audience realy enjoyed it.

all in all i enjoyed it, but i did find it exhausting-close to 3 hours solid of VERY loud music, very bright/pulsing/flashing lights was not what i realy expected (i assumed there would be some more low key numbers). i did see a number of people with kids leave mid way through, and there were quite a few people who took long breaks in the lobby areas (where you could still hear everything but it was a bit more managable).

Thank you for the description of the show. I don't think I've ever heard any of their stuff so I was having a hard time figuring out what they did. I'm leaning towards taking my kids, it won't cost me anything so if they get antsy or don't like it, it's no big deal. This is the first year in a long time I'll have time to do Christmas fun stuff with them.

 

[tink2020]

DH and I are going on Thursday! I've always been a HUGE fan of their music, and have had absolutely the worst luck with getting to a concert when they have been in town. Finally we worked it out, now I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that nothing silly comes up to prevent it! I can't wait!

 

[momrek06]

THE CHRISTMAS CANON by the TSO!!!

I could listen to that ALL DAY LONG!

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

am i the only one who likes the "loud" music and the "Crazy" lights??

maybe it's just because i'm a rock fan and i don't mind

 

[barkley]

am i the only one who likes the "loud" music and the "Crazy" lights??

maybe it's just because i'm a rock fan and i don't mind

i don't mind loud music, but what got to me was that the level at the concert saturday overwhelmed the space-the sound techs did not do the best job at keeping feedback and an audible buzz from the ampliphiers from being a reptetative issue. as for the lights-it just got to be a bit much-rather repetative. i would rather have fewer special effects rather than seeing the same ones repeated over and over.

 

[Nancyg56]

am i the only one who likes the "loud" music and the "Crazy" lights??

maybe it's just because i'm a rock fan and i don't mind

Not at all. The first time I dragged DH ...and I did have to drag him...to their concert he whined all the way there. He could not understand why I was forcing him to go to the opera and on a night when he had to go to work the next day. I said nothing, figured he could see for himself. In our 25 years together I have never seen him so mesmerized by a show, with the exception of one Moody Blues evening when they performed with a full orchestra. Between the light show and the music, he is on the edge of his seat. We look forward to this treat every year! It is tone of the only events that we have more than one generation attend with the same enthusiasm.

 

[WI_DisneyFan]

Last nights concert in Cleveland was AWESOME as usual. I am just amazed by them. We also had a special guest at our show to perform with them at the end. Ian Hunter? My parents and other people were excited but DH and I had no clue who he was. When they sang Cleveland Rock to close the show it was great. Everyone was on thier feet. Can't wait for next year.

I am so jealous! Ian Hunter was/is the lead singer for 70's British Rock Band "Mott the Hoople". How lucky of you to have seen him!

 

[cybrkitn]

Gone prior to DS4 being born in NYC! DH surprised me with tickets to the show one year and I loved it!

My favorite is "Christmas Canon", but that's b/c it has a very sentimental meaning to me. The original music is called "Canon in D" and I walked down the aisle to my DH on our wedding day. I have always loved the piece before that, though.

DH also has a previous album when they were known as Savatage.

 

[momrek06]

Gone prior to DS4 being born in NYC! DH surprised me with tickets to the show one year and I loved it!

My favorite is "Christmas Canon", but that's b/c it has a very sentimental meaning to me. The original music is called "Canon in D" and I walked down the aisle to my DH on our wedding day. I have always loved the piece before that, though.

DH also has a previous album when they were known as Savatage.

Ahhh...you must mean than JOHANN PACHELBEL's Canon in D!!!

 

[cybrkitn]

Ahhh...you must mean than JOHANN PACHELBEL's Canon in D!!!

It's just sooo beautiful!

 

[sunny_]

About the intermission missing. I noticed in Pittsburgh that our intermission disappeared when they added 2 shows. This was our 5th year attending and when we first saw TSO in Pittsburgh, they were in a much smaller venue and we even waited to meet members of the group afterward and have them sign things and pose for pictures. I did appreciate the intermission and one-on-one contact when they were not as popular, but I understand they time-limitations and with increased popularity, and their adding another show in the same day. I'm happy for their success and always spread the word of their brilliance, but I do sort of mourn the days of smaller venues, intermissions, long impromtu talking from Chris and meeting the group afterward.

 

[jedi_librarian]

am i the only one who likes the "loud" music and the "Crazy" lights??

maybe it's just because i'm a rock fan and i don't mind

NO WAY!!! I LOVE it!!!

I just went last night, and the show was just spectacular. Does anyone know if the concert is available on DVD? I would love to own that. I know they have a DVD, but I wasn't sure what exactly is on it..

The 3 hours flew by and I wished they could have played longer! Can't wait until next year!