The Twelve Days of Reviewmas: Day 6: Beethoven's Last Night by Trans-Siberian Orchestra

Welcome to day 6 of the Twelve Days of Reviewmas in todays post i will be talking about the first Trans-Siberian Orchestra album that wasn't Christmas theme, You might be say why are you putting this on the Twelve Days of Reviewmas? well 1. i wanted to do all of TSO's albums and 2. To add some variety to the posts, anyway let's get on to the album information this is taken from Wikipedia just to let you know.

Beethoven's Last Night is a rock opera by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, released in 2000. The album tells the fictional story of Ludwig van Beethoven on the last night of his life, as the devil, Mephistopheles, comes to collect his soul. With the help of Fate and her son Twist, Beethoven unwittingly tricks the devil and is allowed to keep his soul which he had thought lost, but that the devil had no claim on. The album is a rock opera featuring many classical crossoverRock/Metal songs which are clearly based on melodies from classical music, particularly Beethoven's works. It is the first Trans-Siberian Orchestra album that does not feature Christmas themes. The original cover art was created by Edgar Jerins,and re-issued cover art was created by Greg Hildebrandt.

The story of the album is:

Late one night in spring 1827 (presumably March 26, the night he died), Ludwig van Beethoven has completed his masterpiece, his tenth symphony (which in reality, was never completed).
Just as this work is finished, Fate and her deformed son Twist (as in 'Twist of Fate') arrive in his home, and inform the composer of what he had expected for a long while: that this night was the night of his death.
After this explanation, the devil Mephistopheles arrives to claim Beethoven's soul. He offers the composer a deal ; Mephistopheles will allow Beethoven to keep his soul if he may erase the memory of Beethoven's works from all mankind. Beethoven is given one hour to consider, and Mephistopheles leaves the room.
Beethoven turns his anger to Fate at having been dealt a hard life, and now, this decision. In consolation, Fate allows Beethoven to travel back through his life in order to review it and make any changes that he wishes. Beethoven accepts this, and they begin with Beethoven's experiences as a child.
Beethoven comes into his room while the young Beethoven has just been slapped by a tutor for failing to receive appointment to the Imperial Court. Beethoven turns to Fate and informs her that he did not need the hardships that he had faced, with his mother dead and a painful childhood. He requests that she remove the experience from his life. After being told that such a request would remove the inspiration for his sixth symphony, he changes his mind.
Fate and Beethoven then go to one of Beethoven's happier moments, meeting the composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the city of Vienna. Fate then reminds Beethoven of his " immortal beloved " Theresa, and after experiencing a fond remembrance, Beethoven explains his reasons for needing to leave her.
The pair venture to when Beethoven first realizes his deafness, and Beethoven explains that Theresa would not love him were she to know. He is then shown Theresa's reaction to his unexplained absence, and he realizes that his deafness is the cause of all his problems. Fate explains that if she cures his deafness, his music will suffer, as the Muses would not be heard as easily through the everyday sound. He thus withdraws his request.
Beethoven is then shown that Theresa would have loved him forever, and he becomes very sorrowful. But Fate then offers visions of the countless musicians of the future who would be influenced by Beethoven's works. As one last, ultimate vision, he is allowed to improvise with the musicians of the past and future who were inspired by him. Realizing that removing the hardships from his life would destroy his music, Beethoven informs Fate that he will not change any part of his life.
At this point, Mephistopheles returns and Beethoven informs the devil that he will not allow his music to be destroyed. Desperate to receive the Tenth Symphony, Mephistopheles makes another deal: if Beethoven will give over only the Tenth Symphony, then Mephistopheles will not take the composer's soul. After an appearance by Mozart's ghost, Beethoven refuses this offer as well. As a final tactic, Mephistopheles points out the window to a young orphan, and describes the tortures that she will receive if Beethoven refuses to hand over his music. Heartbroken, Beethoven agrees to hand over his Tenth Symphony. After Twist's prompting, a contract is drawn up by Fate, stating the following:
It is agreed upon this night, March 26, 1827, between the undersigned, that the music of the Tenth Symphony, composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, first born son of Johann and Maria van Beethoven, of the city of Bonn, shall henceforth be the property of Mephistopheles, Lord of Darkness and first fallen from the grace of God. It is also understood that it is his intention to remove any signs of this music from the memory of man for all eternity. In exchange for the destruction of the aforementioned music it is also agreed that Mephistopheles and all his minions will remove themselves from the life of the child presently sleeping in the gutter directly across from the window of this room. This removal of influence is to be commenced immediately upon signing and to be enforced for all eternity.
_____________________
Ludwig van Beethoven
_____________________
Mephistopheles
The contract is signed by both the parties, after which Mephistopheles thrusts the Tenth Symphony over a lit candle. When it does not burn, the fact is revealed that Beethoven is in fact the second -born son of his parents by the name Ludwig van Beethoven, and thus, the contract does not apply to his music.
After Mephistopheles leaves in a fit of rage, it is revealed that the true destination of Beethoven's soul is actually heaven (as Twist explains, the devil was simply lying to him all along). Fate tells him to rest, and Beethoven's soul leaves his body for the great beyond. However, Twist also hides the manuscript for the 10th symphony.

So with the story out of the way let's get on to the album shall we? also this might be in two parts since their is alot of songs here there is 22 songs.

Track 1: Overture

Its nice to hear Rock/Metal versions of Beethoven songs because as we all know Beethoven is a genius and is the most iconic musician of all time and this song and the album showcases how his songs can be turned into rock/metal songs. Most of the songs on this album will be 10/10 because they are rock/metal versions of Beethoven songs and pretty much all of Beethoven's songs are perfection.
Rating 10/10

Track 2: Midnight

So this song starts the story off which this track is very good at setting up the story
Rating 10/10

Track 3: Fate
Again another great song that progresses the story, i should also mention i probably won't be making very long comments on the songs some i might not even make a comment on because there is a lot of songs and it's hard to explain why the songs are so good.
Rating 10/10

Track 4: What Good This Deafness

Rating 10/10

Track 5: Mephistopheles

Now here is one of the best songs from this album it's about the Devil who is Mephistopeles and he has come to take Beethoven's soul. This song is very good Rock/Metal version of Moonlight Sonata.
Rating 10/10

Track 6: What Is Eternal

Rating 10/10

Track 7: The Moment

Rating 10/10

Track 8: Vienna

Beethoven goes to Vienna to see Mozart which means in the next track...
Rating 10/10

Track 9: Mozart

Mozart is in this album too. So it's also nice to hear Rock/Metal versions of his songs too, This is a wonderful version of this song.
Rating 10/10

Track 10: The Dreams of Candlelight

Rating 10/10

Track 11: Requiem (The Fifth)

Now here's the song from this album with a Music Video it's a Metal version of Beethoven's 5th Symphony and it's very good.
Rating 10/10

Track 12: I'll Keep Your Secrets

The vocals in this song are very good and this song is very powerful in the typical style that TSO is known for.
Rating 10/10

Track 13: The Dark

This song has a very good guitar solo.

Rating 10/10

Track 14: Für Elise

It's always nice to hear this song.

Rating 10/10

Track 15: After the Fall

Rating 10/10

Track 16: A Last Illusion

This song is interesting its a cover of 3 classical songs One from Mozart, Symphony No. 9 Ode to Jy by Beethoven and Flight of the Bumblebee and it's a great cover of all of those songs.
Rating 10/10

Track 17: This Is Who You Are

Rating 10/10

Track 18: Beethoven

This song is Scherzo from Symphony No. 9, and Sonata Pathétique as a Rock/Metal song and it's done very well.
Rating 10/10

Track 19: Mephistopheles' Return

This song is a metal version of another part of the Sonata Pathétique and just like the last song it's very well done.
Rating 10/10

Track 20: Misery

This song showcases the Rock Opera elements of this album the most out of all the songs here.

Rating 10/10

Track 21: Who Is This Child

This song is once again a very good and powerful song as it does what its supposed to do and that is concluding the story of this album.

Rating 10/10

Track 22: A Final Dream

The final song for this album it ends the album like it should.

Rating 10/10

I know didn't really make much comments about the songs but my comments wouldn't explain why this album is so good it's TSO 2nd best album and once again i don'e even need to add up the track scores because all the songs here are 10/10 and if you like Beethoven and or Classical music and also like Rock/Metal you will love this album its a masterpiece.

Album Rating 100/100

Next Post We Wish You a Metal Xmas and a Headbanging New Year - Various Artists

Heres the rankings so far

1. Christmas Eve and Other Stroies - TSO
2. Wintersun - Wintersun
3. Beethoven's Last Night - TSO
4. Twisted Christmas - Bob Rivers
5. I Am Santa Claus - Bob Rivers
6. A Twisted Christmas - Twisted Sister
7. The Christmas Attic - TSO

Comments

Oh yes, this is another great album. I have many favorite songs - Metal_Treasure