120,000+ Classic Rock Album Covers Database (1948-2026): Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Ghosts of Christmas Eve (Live Video) (1999)

Monday, March 16, 2020

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Ghosts of Christmas Eve (Live Video) (1999) | Review, Fun Facts & Trivia

Trans-Siberian Orchestra - The Ghosts of Christmas Eve (Live Video) (1999)

Trans-Siberian Orchestra – The Ghosts of Christmas Eve (Live Video) (1999)

🎄 Video Overview

🎸 The Ghosts of Christmas Eve is a live concert video and television special by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, released in 1999. The production blends live symphonic rock performances with a Christmas-themed narrative, expanding the story introduced in the band’s earlier albums.

🎭 Produced by Paul O'Neill, the program mixes theatrical storytelling, dramatic stage performances, and orchestral rock arrangements. The story centers around a runaway girl who finds refuge in an abandoned theater on Christmas Eve, where mysterious spirits guide her through music and memories.

🎬 The special was originally broadcast on television and later released on DVD and VHS, becoming one of the most popular holiday rock productions of the late 1990s.

⭐ Mini Review

🎧 The Ghosts of Christmas Eve is a unique blend of rock concert and Christmas fantasy film. Instead of simply presenting a live performance, the production integrates storytelling scenes with musical performances.

🎶 Songs like “Christmas Eve / Sarajevo 12/24”, “Christmas Canon”, and “O Come All Ye Faithful / O Holy Night” are performed with dramatic lighting and orchestral arrangements that highlight the band’s signature sound.

🔥 The video captures the early visual style that later defined Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s massive arena tours, combining rock guitars, symphonic orchestration, choirs, and theatrical staging.

🎶 Video Tracklist / Musical Performances

🎵 Featured musical performances include:

🎶 O Come All Ye Faithful / O Holy Night
🎶 Good King Joy
🎶 Christmas Eve / Sarajevo 12/24
🎶 Christmas Canon
🎶 Music Box Blues
🎶 Promises to Keep
🎶 This Christmas Day
🎶 First Snow

🎄 These songs combine selections from the albums Christmas Eve and Other Stories and The Christmas Attic.

👥 Production & Performance Credits

🎹 Key contributors featured in the production:

🎼 Producer / Creator: Paul O'Neill
🎹 Musical Director / Composer: Robert Kinkel
🎹 Composer / Keyboardist: Jon Oliva
🎸 Lead Guitar: Al Pitrelli
🎭 Narrator: Ossie Davis

🎸 Several musicians involved were also connected to the progressive metal band Savatage, whose members helped shape the musical direction of the project.

🖼️ Cover / Release Info

🎨 The home video release features artwork inspired by the television production, often showing a mysterious winter night scene with a theater setting and magical lighting, reflecting the story’s supernatural Christmas atmosphere.

📀 The video was released in multiple formats including VHS and DVD, allowing fans to experience the theatrical side of Trans-Siberian Orchestra at home.

🎁 Fun Facts

🎭 The production features appearances by actors Michael Crawford and Jewel, who perform musical roles in the story.

🎶 Many of the performances were filmed in a historic theater setting, giving the concert scenes a dramatic and magical atmosphere.

🎄 The television broadcast helped introduce Trans-Siberian Orchestra to millions of viewers during the holiday season.

🤓 Trivia

🎸 The special helped establish the visual and theatrical style later used in Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s arena tours, which include lasers, pyrotechnics, and elaborate lighting.

🎧 It remains one of the most frequently rebroadcast Christmas music specials in the United States.

🎶 Several songs performed in the video later became staples of the band’s annual holiday concert tours.

❄️ Did You Know?

🎄 Did you know? Actor Michael Crawford, famous for originating the role in The Phantom of the Opera, plays a key role in the story.

🎶 Did you know? Singer Jewel performs the emotional song “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” during the special.

🎸 Did you know? The success of this TV special significantly boosted the popularity of Trans-Siberian Orchestra and helped launch their massive Christmas concert tours.