Trans-Siberian Orchestra (
TSO) is an American
progressive rock band founded in 1996 by producer, composer, and lyricist
Paul O'Neill, who brought together
Jon Oliva and
Al Pitrelli (both members of
Savatage) and keyboardist and co-producer
Robert Kinkel to form the core of the creative team. The band gained in popularity when they began touring in 1999 after completing their second album,
The Christmas Attic the year previous. In 2007, the
Washington Post referred to them as "an arena-rock juggernaut" and described their music as "
Pink Floyd meets
Yes and
The Who at
Radio City Music Hall." TSO has sold more than 10 million concert tickets and over 10 million albums. The band has released a series of
rock operas:
Christmas Eve and Other Stories,
The Christmas Attic,
Beethoven's Last Night,
The Lost Christmas Eve , their two-disc
Night Castle and
Letters From the Labyrinth. Trans-Siberian Orchestra is also known for their extensive charity work and elaborate concerts, which include a string section, a light show, lasers, "enough pyro to be seen from the international space station", moving trusses, video screens, and effects synchronized to music.