Beethoven's Last Night by Trans-Siberian Orchestra Lava

Product Description: Trans-Siberian Orchestra's first two recordings, a pair of late-'90s Christmas albums, hinted that some day TSO might evolve into a latter-day ELO or even an ELP. Instead, this overwrought concept album shares more common ground with ALW (Andrew Lloyd Webber) or Meat Loaf. TSO, in fact, aims to retrace a path once traveled by producer Jim Steinman, the mastermind behind the theatrical, over-the-top rock opuses that briefly transformed Mr. Loaf and Bonnie Tyler ("Total Eclipse of the Heart") into mass-audience favorites. TSO ringmaster Paul O'Neill (once a guitarist in Broadway productions of Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair) here ditches the holiday themes and instead scores a simple-minded fairy tale (whose text spans a 32-page CD booklet) that involves Beethoven's soul, the devil, and an imaginary Symphony No. 10. Too often, the music is the servant of the project's thin plot, and the rock-classical instrumental bravura that initially attracted public attention to TSO (at times, the group sounds like a symphonic Boston) is obscured by overheated vocal rantings. Meanwhile, the guitar-driven rendering of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony ("Requiem") is mundane. Yet, one vocal track, "After the Fall" with singer Patti Russo, jumps off the record as a Tyler-esque knockout, raging with emotion and melodic luster. It doesn't save the album, but it helps. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews

5 stars Dare you not to cry:
This experience is like a broadway show without people. The first time through I lost a little in listening and following the booklet at the same time. BUT, the second time I listened, ALL of the beauty and meaning hit me full force. Give it a try. The musical snippit does not do justice.

5 stars Great sound!
This is one of my favorite CDs. The combination of rock and classical music is amazing! Most of the vocalists have great voices and do a great job also.

One of the only problems with this CD is with the keyboards. The keyboardist does an absolutely awful job. "Moonlight Sonata," "Fur Elise," and "Ode to Joy" are ruined - they are extremely clunky and immature. Even "What is Eternal" could be a lot better with a better keyboardist. (Disclaimer: I am a classically trained pianist, so I'm probably hard on other pianists.)

Other than the keyboards, the CD is great.

3 stars Patti Russo rocks!
I bought this cd solely for Patti Russo's tracks. The writing could have been better, but her voice goes a long way in pulling off the lyrics. I rarely listen to the other songs--only Patti's, but I consider the cd worth the money.

5 stars Trans Siberian
Really great composition - the way I was introduced to this orchestra was by way of a Xmas Light Display that was featured on a video site of the computer and the music was so entrancing!!!!

5 stars TSO ROCKS!
You only need to see Trans-Siberian Orchestra one time in concert to become an all time fan. A must-have CD to add to your TSO collection.

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