Posted on 02/27/2024 11:47:14 AM PST by nickcarraway
Vitalij Kuprij, a member of Trans-Siberian Orchestra and a highly regarded Ukrainian-American pianist and keyboardist, died on Tuesday (Feb. 20) at 49, according to his friend and musical colleague Lars Eric Mattsson, a Finnish guitarist and producer.
Kuprij performed with Trans-Siberian Orchestra on their latest seasonal tour throughout November and December 2023. And before rejoining the symphonic heavy metal band in 2021, he was also included in their lineup from 2009 to 2019.
Indeed, the keyboardist was part of the group for 17 winter tours in total, where Trans-Siberian Orchestra are known for their holiday-driven stage show based on their several Christmas albums.
"Woke up to really sad news this morning as my dear friend and keyboard maestro Vitalij Kuprij has passed away last night," Mattsson said. "The Ukranian born virtuoso was living in Philadelphia and recently came off another hugely successful tour with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra."
He continued, "I have known and worked with Vitalij for over 20 years and he always talked about seeing me here in Finland to go fishing, which was his second love after music."
Mattsson added, "We have recorded together several times, fist time was for the debut album of Book of Reflections 20 years ago and then later for my MATTSSON concept album War. My record label Lion Music Record Label has released a lot of his music including three solo albums, his band Artension and more.
He concluded, "You will be deeply missed my friend!" Mattsson did not address Kuprij's cause of death.
R.I.P. Vitalij Kuprij
Kuprij was born on April 6, 1974. As a musician, he gained recognition for his virtuosity on the piano and his versatility in various genres, mainly the classical and progressive genres, ultimately dovetailing with the symphonic metal sound of Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Over the course of his career, Kuprij became associated with other prominent bands and musical projects. Notably, he joined the neoclassical metal band Artension in the late 1990s, where his keyboard skills added depth and complexity to the group's sound, showcasing his ability to blend classical influences with the energy of metal.
Beyond Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Artension, Kuprij also worked with the Mark Boals-fronted Ring of Fire as well as the Vivaldi Metal Project.
Loudwire sends it deepest condolences out to Kuprij's family, friends and bandmates, and the entire TSO family.
When I first read trans I was thinking it would be a different article
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
= = =
Don’t let the name mislead you.
They are great.
Died Suddenly ?
...heavy metal band...
I don’t think so.
Jeff Plate, the drummer formerly of Savatage, hails from Horseheads, NY. I’ve known him since he was fourteen.
Gauthier died "suddenly and unexpectedly following a short illness" on Feb. 23, according to a statement Gauthier's family gave "Good Morning America" via his management company, RED Management.
-PJ
Trans-Siberian Orchestra...
Fantastic Christmas music!!!!!!!!!!!
Also Mannheim Steamroller......
Saw TSO last December. Their light show was incredible.
Ahhh...music played by actual musicians. The good ol' days.
There are a lot of young “Dying Suddenly”. More than I have seen before the vax.
Indeed!!!
One of my favorites.
“There are a lot of young “Dying Suddenly”. More than I have seen before the vax.”
I read that the vax rate has dropped to like 19%. So those death numbers should start coming back down at some point.
With the vax rates that low, COVID must be weak now or the hospitals would be full and more people would be dying of it.
MS was the group Rush used to play during the Christmas Holidays.
Sounds like the beginning of a “died suddenly” pandemic. Better get those Died Suddenly mRNA vaccines...and boosters when available.
This "trans" has nothing to do with sexual identity.
I start around 15th of Dec playing their Christmas music every year. So much enjoy them!
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