At the band's triumphant homecoming in the historic Manhattan theatre the stage was set to look like a room with three large picture windows. The two keyboard players were to our right, the massive drum kit center stage and the local orchestra - the New York Strings were to our left. The bassist, guitar players and singers worked the front of the stage. The "Overture" was heard as music, lasers and lights bombard the audience. In the windows, we saw blue thunder as blocks of colored lights flashed to the rock rhythms of the opening track.

The narrator appeared and welcomed the crowd "with a new story to tell". It is 1827, in Vienna during a large lightning storm. Beethoven's has finished his 10th and final symphony and he certain that it is his greatest work. Fate and her son Twist are introduced as musical notes and a clock are seen in the windows with curtains that appear to be billowing in a breeze.

The clock moves closer to twelve as dramatic daunting music supports the storytelling and opulent orchestration of "Midnight" and "Fate". Suddenly Mephistopheles with red flashing eyes appears - he has come for Beethoven. "Perhaps we can talk for a while for you are not dead yet" states the devil. A vocalist with dark curly hair sings as smoke and red fiery lights engulf the room. The song ranges from subtle to soaring.

Some Scenes from the TSO Show: [Clockwise from top left] Roddy Chong (Marc Weiss);
Danielle Landherr (by Marc Weiss); Chris Caffery (by Bob Carey); and Al Pitrelli (by Marc Weiss).

Mephistopheles claims he owns Ludwig's soul stating that he might be willing to make a deal - the soul for all of Beethoven's songs. The composer stumbles backwards searching his mind for a reply to this staggering proposal. The devil says he will be back in one hour to see "what you will keep and what you will lose".

The mood turns reflective with a tune about life. Although the album is about Beethoven, his questions about joys and sorrows are timeless and universal. Visually and vocally the drama of Ludwig's decision unfolds through his music and TSO's interpretations.

Fate appears and Beethoven looks to her to go back through the years and perhaps change his path. They start at his boyhood, where a young Ludwig - with sorrow in his eyes - was recently struck by his music teacher. Beethoven considers changing this moment but Fate reminds him that one change can change a whole life. Without the childhood pain the 6th Symphony would be loss. The two progress though his years realizing that so much of Beethoven's beautiful ballads were reflections of life.

A pretty female vocalist (representing Therese-Ludwig's lost love) appears and sings of romance and later secrets. A pageantry of production and passionate music unfolds through the next few songs and stories.

Mephistopheles returned with flashing lights and forceful instrumentation. Beethoven decided that his music must remain despite his fears for his own soul. The devil - who greatly desired the 10th Symphony - was still willing to deal. An agreement was made but Twist (remember him) tricked the devil and Beethoven's soul and songs were saved. Thus, Ludwig's music lives today!

Standout moments were many including the exuberant Roddy Chong on violin who added extra flair with his frenetic playing. Singers Jeff Scott Soto (who was in Journey before Arnel Pineda took over the reigns) and Rob Evan were present and powerful on lead male vocals.

Guitarist Chris Caffery and main spokesman during the show introduced the evening's performers and then brought out the organization's founder Paul O'Neill. The creative force behind the band then mentioned TSO might be back for a summer tour in some outdoor venues and that a Broadway production based on the music of the band is well under way. The encore was three songs from TSO's latest epic Night Castle. The tracks were presented with plenty of passion and props thus ending their rock odyssey on a high note.

Paul O'Neill is the founding father and main composer and songwriter for TSO.

Related Links: For more information on Trans Siberian Orchestra and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- trans-siberian.com | blythedale.org | radiocity.com

(Originally Published on April 12, 2010)