Trans-Siberian Orchestra performing at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas on December 23, 2017.
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra is a not a permanent musical organization. Rather, it is the trade name for the session orchestras assembled for a number of symphonic rock cross-over albums produced by Paul O'Neill.Setlist for the show at the AT&T Center
O'Neill, a rock producer, arranger, and composer, conceived the sound of a 60-piece orchestra plus chorus that would perform with the edge and impact of a rock band. The result is a series of conceptual symphonic rock albums, mostly on Christmas themes.
O'Neill is a guitarist who played professionally and joined the orchestras for Broadway productions of Hair and Jesus Christ Superstar. His early musical influences were the rock groups Queen and Yes, and performers Jim Croce and Harry Chapin. In the mid-'80s he began working as a producer with groups including Aerosmith and Badlands. He became a concert organizer and producer, and was invited to put together some of the first major rock concerts held in Japan.
This gained him understanding of Japanese working conditions and audience preferences, which led him to be engaged to organize tour appearances in Japan for major rock acts such as Madonna, Sting, and Bon Jovi. He wrote two complete rock operas, Streets and Dead Winter Dead.
Christmas Eve and Other Stories He conceived a rock album, Christmas Eve and Other Stories, focusing on the theme that small acts of generosity or honesty can have far-reaching positive impact (the message of Frank Capra's film It's a Wonderful Life). For it, he planned the sound of the large symphonic rock orchestra, and named it The Trans-Siberian Orchestra, though neither it nor O'Neill have any connection with Siberia. (Source: AllMusic)
- Time and Distance (The Dash)
- 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 / 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
- Christmas Jam
- The Mountain
- Someday
- The Night Conceives
- Sparks
- Wizards in Winter
- This Christmas Day
- Keyboard Duel
- Requiem (The Fifth)
- Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)
Trans-Siberian Orchestra continues across the United States with the last stops at the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota and the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio on December 30, 2017.
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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