Vitalij Kuprij, a Ukrainian-American maestro renowned for his classical training and virtuosity, as well as his work with TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, has passed away at the age of 49
Kuprij, known for his collaborations with progressive metal bands like ARTENSION and RING OF FIRE, as well as his tours with the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, leaves behind a rich legacy in the music world. At present, no cause of death has been disclosed.
Kuprij‘s passing was confirmed by his friend, Finnish musician Lars Eric Mattsson, who wrote on his Facebook page: “Woke up to really sad news this morning as my dear friend and keyboard maestro Vitalij Kuprij has passed away last night. The Ukranian born virtuoso was living in Philadelphia and recently came off another hugely successful tour with the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA.
“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. We have recorded together several times, first 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.
“You will be deeply missed my friend!”
Born in 1974 in Volodarka, Kiev, Ukraine, Vitalij Kuprij gained international acclaim for his mastery of classical music, seamlessly transitioning into neo-classical, progressive rock, and metal genres.
A graduate of the Curtis School of Music in Philadelphia and a resident of Reading, Pennsylvania, Kuprij was highly sought after as a musician both in the United States and abroad. His performances took him to prestigious venues across France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union.
Throughout his career, Kuprij received numerous prestigious musical honors. He notably achieved first prize as the youngest competitor in the All-Union Chopin Competition in the Soviet Union, as well as earning the gold medal in competitions such as the Kiev Conservatory Competition and the Mykola Lyssenko Competition in Ukraine. Additionally, he was awarded first prize in the Geneva Duo Competition for Violin and Piano and gold medals in the Piano 80 and Swiss Youth Competition, as well as the Chicago Piano Competition, the New York Piano Competition, and the Cleveland Piano Competition.
In 1999, Vitalij Kuprij was chosen as the soloist to showcase composer Liszt‘s Piano Concerto #1 alongside the New York Youth Symphony at Carnegie Hall. Following this prestigious performance, he made his solo debut at Carnegie Hall, where he wowed audiences with two encores. Subsequent performances at renowned venues such as Alice Tully Hall and Avery Fisher Hall further solidified his reputation as a standout musician.
Despite his classical roots, Kuprij‘s ability to seamlessly transition into neo-classical and rock genres earned him widespread recognition among his peers. He released numerous albums under the Marquee Avalon and Yamaha labels, achieving success on the Japanese charts. Additionally, he conducted master classes and workshops at colleges and universities across the United States.
In 2009, Kuprij embarked on a new chapter in his career by joining the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA (TSO). Discovered through internet clips showcasing his remarkable keyboard skills, Kuprij became an integral part of TSO‘s touring progressive rock ensemble. While TSO is renowned for its renditions of Christmas songs, the group’s elaborate rock opera productions, complete with dazzling pyrotechnic light shows, captivated audiences worldwide.