Throwback Video Of The Week: Trans-Siberian Orchestra “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24”
The pandemic has robbed us of a few traditions this holiday season. The annual concert tour by Trans-Siberian Orchestra is one of them. If you’ve never experienced one of their arena Christmas shows in person, get a ticket at the next possible opportunity. Part hard rock band, part classical ensemble, Trans-Siberian Orchestra is all entertainment.
“Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” is on TSO’s 1996 debut album, Christmas Eve and Other Stories. It’s a powerful instrumental medley of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” and “Carol of the Bells.” According to Songfacts, the song was inspired by the story of Bosnian cellist Vedran Smailović. During the siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s, Smailović defiantly played his cello in the bombed ruins of buildings and at funerals.
The video for “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” gives you some sense of the energy and theatrical production qualities that Trans-Siberian Orchestra brings to their concerts. Hopefully, they’ll be back on the road in 2021. Merry Christmas!
