Serj Tankian's European tour kicks off in Kiev

Angela Tankian

Singer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, poet and political activist Serj Tankian has wrapped up his summer tour with System of a Down, and now, Tankian will hang back in Europe until the commencement of his own solo orchestral tour dates that begin on September 19 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Complete list of tour dates below)

The concert program will include all four acts of Orca, but will also incorporate performances of many songs from Elect The Dead Symphony, which achieved critical and commercial success upon it’s initial release and tour in 2010.

Recorded in Linz, Austria in October of 2012, Orca was composed and demoed in Tankian’s home studio and fully realized after a successful Kickstarter campaign that helped fund a recording and debut performance at the regal Brucknerhaus with the “Das Karussell Ensemble.” With conductor Werner Steinmetz at the helm, the four acts of Orca mix influences from early 20th century composers with modern film compositional dynamics showing influences ranging from Ennio Morricone to Philip Glass. Listeners are met with a mingling of sounds and intertwining pieces that are both serene and bombastic at the same time, offering a fresh interpretation to the classical art.

According to Tankian, “Orca is known as the killer whale, but is really a dark dolphin, a symbolism for human dichotomy.”

Orca, Tankian’s first true symphony, was released on June 25.

Tour Dates

Thursday, September 19, 2013 – Kiev – Ukraine – Ukraina Hall

Saturday, September 21, 2013 – Yekaterinburg – Russia – Kosmos Hall

Monday, September 23, 2013 – Novosibirsk – Russia – DK Zheleznodorozhnik

Wednesday, September 25, 2013 – Krasnoyarsk – Russia – Philharmony

Friday, September 27, 2013 – Moscow – Russia – Crocus City Hall

Saturday, September 28, 2013 – St. Petersburg – Russia – Orjktybyrsky Concert Hall

Thursday, October 3, 2013 – Florence – Italy – Teatro Comunale

Friday, October 4, 2013 – Padova – Italy – Gran Teatro Geox

Saturday, October 5, 2013 – Rome – Italy – Auditorium Parco Della Musica