It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of the Ukrainian-American maestro, Vitalij Kuprij, at the age of 49. A classically trained virtuoso, Kuprij left an indelible mark on the world of music through his exceptional talent and contributions to progressive metal. Renowned for his work with bands such as ARTENSION and RING OF FIRE, as well as his tours with the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, Kuprij captivated audiences with his extraordinary skill and passion for his craft.
The cause of Kuprij’s death has not yet been disclosed, leaving friends, fans, and the music community alike in mourning. His longtime friend, Finnish guitarist, songwriter, and producer Lars Eric Mattsson, confirmed Kuprij’s passing, underscoring the profound impact he had on those who had the privilege of knowing and collaborating with him. He 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!”.
TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA released the following statement: “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend and bandmate, Vitalij Kuprij. He was a world-renowned classical pianist and composer. In 2010, Vitalij joined TSO for the inaugural ‘Beethoven’s Last Night’ tour and seamlessly became an integral part of the band. His flawless and energetic performances consistently captivated audiences, and many of you came to know and love him as much as we did. Beyond his musical prowess, Vitalij was an accomplished chess player, an avid fisherman, and simply a fun-loving soul. His absence will be profoundly felt by all. Rest in peace, Vitalij. You will be deeply missed”.
