Classical Variations and Themes

Classical Variations and Themes
Studio album by Timo Tolkki
Released	October 1994[1]
Recorded	July–August 1994 at Soundtrack Studios in Helsinki, Finland
Genre	Instrumental rock, heavy metal, neo-classical metal, progressive metal
Length	36:33
Label	Goldenworks Ky
Producer	Timo Tolkki
Timo Tolkki chronology
Classical Variations and Themes (1994) Hymn to Life (2002)

Classical Variations and Themes is the first studio album by former Stratovarius guitarist Timo Tolkki, released in October 1994 through Goldenworks Ky (Europe) and Victor Entertainment (Japan).

Background

The album is primarily instrumental, save for two tracks on which Tolkki performs vocals, and bears similar heavy metal and progressive metal elements to previous Stratovarius albums. Keyboard and drums are provided by Tolkki's then-Stratovarius bandmates Antti Ikonen and Tuomo Lassila, respectively. The second track, "Fire Dance Suite", was originally composed for Stratovarius in 1986,^[1] and went on to be included on their first compilation album, The Past and Now, in 1997. A music video for the song was also released.^[2]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Timo Tolkki, except where noted. 

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Lord of the Rings"	5:42
2.	"Fire Dance Suite"	4:57
3.	"Guitar Concerto" (Joaquín Rodrigo)	2:52
4.	"Northern Lights"	2:18
5.	"Capriccio in A Minor" (Niccolò Paganini)	1:09
6.	"Back to the Ice Age"	4:03
7.	"Death of a Swan" (Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky)	3:54
8.	"Soldiers Prayer"	4:04
9.	"Flying Samir"	3:02
10.	"Sunwinds"	2:40
11.	"Greensleeves" (trad.)	1:52
Total length:		36:33

South American edition bonus track
No.	Title	Length
12.	"Solitude" (performed by Stratovarius)	4:47

Personnel

• Timo Tolkki – electric guitar, guitar synthesizer, vocals, bass guitar, engineering, production
• Antti Ikonen – keyboard
• Tuomo Lassila – drums
• Mikko Karmila – mixing

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "History". stratovarius.com. Retrieved 2010-10-02.
2. ^ "Fire Dance Suite". YouTube. Retrieved 2010-10-11.