Neoclassical Shredding: Revisiting Timo Tolkki's Classical Variations and Themes (1994)
In 1994, Tolkki was the creative engine behind Stratovarius, but he had personal ambitions that didn't always fit the band's power metal mold. Classical Variations and Themes allowed him to indulge in primarily , recorded at Soundtrack Studios in Helsinki with his then-bandmates Antti Ikonen (keyboards) and Tuomo Lassila (drums). the album is a lean
Clocking in at roughly 36 minutes, the album is a lean, focused display of technical skill: Track Title Composition Lord of the Rings Tolkki Original Fire Dance Suite Tolkki Original (originally for Stratovarius in 1986) Guitar Concerto From Joaquín Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez Northern Lights Tolkki Original Capriccio in A Minor From Niccolò Paganini Back to the Ice Age Tolkki Original Death of a Swan From Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake Soldier's Prayer Tolkki Original Flying Samir Tolkki Original Tolkki Original Greensleeves Traditional Why You Should Support the Artist the album is a lean
The album is a mix of original Tolkki compositions and metal-infused takes on classical standards: the album is a lean