The roots of TSO are found in Savatage, a traditional heavy metal band that gradually progressed into a symphonic metal act. Savatage's rock operas, starting with STREETS, began the experimentation with what would become TSO culminating on the track "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)" from DEAD WINTER DEAD. This track was a minor hit for the struggling band, and demonstrated that there might be an audience for the symphonic metal approach to holiday themes.
The concept for a band playing Christmas carols in a rock opera style was not received warmly by the industry, but quickly proved a success with adults as well as young people. In the recording studio, Trans-Siberian Orchestra uses a full 60-piece orchestra and a choir.
As of 2004, their touring band included 14 vocalists, 14 musicians, and 2 narrators. Trans-Siberian Orchestra released their debut album Christmas Eve and Other Stories in 1996, and it remains their best-selling album. Their 1998 release The Christmas Attic was similarly a concept album with a Christmas theme. In 2000, they released their first non-Christmas album, Beethoven's Last Night. Beethoven's Last Night is a concept album about Ludwig van Beethoven's last night on earth, during which he meets Mephistopheles (possible Satan, or one of his underlings).
After a few years of touring, they returned to the studio with another full-length album, Lost Christmas Eve, and the accompanying DVD/3-CD release The Christmas Trilogy, which contained all three of their Christmas albums to date.
During their winter tours of 2005 and 2006, the band had announced that they were working on the new album, set to release later that year (this was said both years). During the summer of 2007, the official myspace for TSO stated that they were recording, with the expression 'inspired'. Finally, on October 27, 2007, the long awaited new album (and second non-Christmas) arrived "Night Castle". The album is another concept album, spanning 2 cd's, and is the telling of the story of a soldier's experience during the Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge. As always, it's about faith, hope, fate and the inherent belief that there is good in all people. The album was received with mixed reviews, from the praise of the band's fans, to the near burning of albums by those that are less than receptive to the album. Along with the songs for the story, the album also includes 4 tracks that are not part of the story, and yes, it features the band's rendition of "Carmina Burana (O Fortuna)", performed as a preview by the band during their winter tours, as well as one cover of a Savatage song.
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Christmas Concerto
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Lyrics
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Nearly every person there
Went to the cathedral's basement
And started setting up tables and chairs
For that night this church would feed
Any person in life who had less
And both those that gave and those that received
Then the angel remembered something
That his lord's son had once said
On how one truly followed him
When words and acts were wed
Some people claim to follow him
But themselves they just deceive
For his lord's son had said,
"you will know who truly follows me
Not by what they say, but by their deeds"
And this church was clearly filled
With kind people of goodwill
But the angel had more time left on this night
And continued to search on still
So the angel left the parishioners
With their christmas meal in happy bliss
And returned once more to the hotel
To make sure that there was no one there he had missed
And passing by a village square
He heard a brass quartet
Whose christmas concerto in the key of g
He felt lighten his every step
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "Christmas Concerto" is a beautiful story that tells of a church that prepared and served a free meal to those in need. The scene describes people setting up tables and chairs in the cathedral's basement after the song was over. The church had a compassion for the less fortunate and the people giving and receiving left the church that night with a sense of blessing. The angel remembered that the Lord's son had declared that a true follower of him must show his love through actions and not only words. The church exemplified this by their acts of kindness.
The angel left the church and continued his search, hoping to find more people to help. As he passed through a village square he heard a brass quartet playing a Christmas concerto in the key of G. The music lifted his spirits and made him feel as light as a feather. The song signifies the importance of acts of kindness in our daily lives, especially during the holiday season. The church's good deeds and the brass quartet's soulful playing emphasized the significance of the season of love, compassion, and kindness.
Line by Line Meaning
After the song was over
The events take place after the end of the previous song.
Nearly every person there
Almost every individual in attendance joined in.
Went to the cathedral's basement
They moved towards the basement of the church.
And started setting up tables and chairs
They began to arrange furniture for an event.
For that night this church would feed
On that day, the church would provide food.
Any person in life who had less
Anyone in need, regardless of their status, would be served.
And both those that gave and those that received
Both the donors and the recipients of assistance benefitted.
Left that night feeling blessed
Everyone had a sense of gratitude and joy as they departed.
Then the angel remembered something
The angel recollected something.
That his lord's son had once said
The angel recalled words from the Son of God.
On how one truly followed him
He spoke about how one could genuinely follow him.
When words and acts were wed
Aligning convictions and behavior.
Some people claim to follow him
Others profess to be his followers.
But themselves they just deceive
They deceive no one but themselves.
For his lord's son had said,
The Son of God said,
you will know who truly follows me
The authentic followers will be recognizable.
Not by what they say, but by their deeds
By their actions rather than their words.
And this church was clearly filled
The church was evidently brimming.
With kind people of goodwill
Comprised of benevolent individuals
But the angel had more time left on this night
However, the angel had more remaining time tonight.
And continued to search on still
The angel maintained his quest.
So the angel left the parishioners
The angel departed from the churchgoers.
With their Christmas meal in happy bliss
Those who partook of the Christmas feast were content and delighted.
And returned once more to the hotel
The angel came back to the hotel.
To make sure that there was no one there he had missed
To guarantee that he did not overlook anyone.
And passing by a village square
While traversing through the town square
He heard a brass quartet
The angel listened to a brass quartet.
Whose Christmas concerto in the key of G
The quartet performed a Christmas concerto in the key of G.
He felt lighten his every step
His every step seemed to become lighter.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PAUL O'NEILL, PAUL F. O'NEILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind