Vitalij Kuprij, a touring keyboardist for progressive metal act Trans-Siberian Orchestra, has died at the age of 49.
Kuprij was a classically trained and virtousic keyboardist who had been touring with Trans-Siberian Orchestra in recent years. He had also played with prog-metal acts Artension and Ring of Fire.
At the time of his death, the Ukrainian-American maestro resided in Philadelphia and had recently wrapped up a tour with Trans-Siberian Orchestra back in December that saw the group performing many of its Christmas-themed staples across the United States.
Lars Eric Mattsson, a musical colleague of Kuprij, eulogized the keyboardist in a Facebook post:
“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!”
Kuprij was born in 1974 in Volodarka, Kiev, Ukraine. A cause of death has not been announced, and Trans-Siberian Orchestra have yet to comment on Kuprij’s passing. The band does not currently have any concert dates on the horizon.
Below you can read Mattsson’s tribute post.