Before you reached your seats Saturday night at Heinz Hall, it was obvious this was not going to be a typical classical concert -- not when there are five "Guitar Hero" consoles scattered throughout the lobby.

This was the introduction to "Video Games Live," which made its Pittsburgh debut with the help of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Mendelssohn Choir. Originally conceived by video game composers Jack Wall and Tommy Tallarico, "Video Games Live" has grown to become one of the most popular touring music revues today, with its synthesis of spectacular lighting and video displays, real-time game playing, and the involvement of a full orchestra and choir performing video game standards, both old and new.

While the concert took place in a classical venue, the atmosphere was anything but typical of Heinz Hall. Early on, Tallarico, the show's host, encouraged the audience to not hold back if they were excited at what they heard, exclaiming "feel free to clap and applaud whenever you want!" The audience, mostly teens and young adults wearing video game T-shirts, cheerfully waved their cell phones and Game Boys in lieu of lighters to show their appreciation.

The show's repertoire was chronologically diverse, ranging from the classic era of games ("Pong," "Donkey Kong," "Duck Hunt,") to relatively recent creations ("Halo 3," "World of Warcraft"). Wall's careful yet emphatic conducting of the orchestra and choir, combined with guitars and auxiliary percussion, helped to bring new life and appreciation to the games' soundtracks, whether it was updating the familiar sounds of "The Legend of Zelda" theme with the lush expansive sound of the PSO, or attempting to reproduce the intricate vocal work found in the music from "God of War."

In addition to the orchestration, each piece was also visually enhanced. As footage from the games projected onto the three giant screens onstage, surrounded by expansive lighting displays, characters from the games, such as Solid Snake from "Metal Gear Solid" and Master Chief from "Halo," ran around enticing the audience. Tallarico, however, created the biggest visual presence, through his use of multiple costume and instrument changes, as well as his uplifting and motivational demeanor.

The show's set was filled with many surprises, including a live Skype chat with Ralph Baer, the "inventor of modern video games" in Tallarico's words; two solo performances by Martin Leung, an Internet-famed pianist who performed several selections from the "Final Fantasy" and "Super Mario Bros." series while blindfolded (with a Terrible Towel, no less); and two contests featuring members of the audience playing one classic game ("Space Invaders") and one modern one ("Guitar Hero: Aerosmith" -- coincidentally, Tallarico is Steven Tyler's cousin) onstage with the orchestra's backing, although neither contestant could beat their challenge.

The consistent combination of orchestral swells and fast-paced game footage made for an exciting two hour-plus show, allowing some the chance to hear familiar material through Pittsburgh's premiere orchestra, and others the opportunity to appreciate video game music for the first time, culminating with thunderous appreciation for providing the audience the opportunity to experience video games and live music in a whole new way.