I auditioned then got the call for Saltimbanco 6 months later. The audition was relaxing - they were very cool...asked me to play something for them, so I played one of my compositions. Then they'd play something for me and ask me to play it back for them.
I'll number them #1(bottom)-#4 (top): 1)Roland Fantom-X8 2)Kurzweil K2000 3)Korg Wavestation 4)Nord Electro 2 Seventy-Three There is a rack to my right that you cannot see that had several modules. I believe in this tune the horn sounds are layered with a K2500 in the rack. Pretty old-school huh?
I got more that I bargained for with this. Thanks for all of the added info. I have been a fan of the Saltimbanco soundtrack and especially Barock since the early nineties. Thanks for posting.
I saw Saltimbanco in San Francisco and then was surprised to see that they were in Amsterdam while I was on a one night layover on the front end of my two month romp in West Africa. I did my "spare ticket" thing out front and was lucky enough to get in. Were you playing either of those?
@TheMrsrt8 Google "Leslie Speaker" or "Leslie Speaker Cabinet" and you will see what gives the organ sound that doppler-type "vibrato" that you hear speeding up and slowing down. The speakers/horns inside the cabinet actually spin to create that effect. I'm not using a actual Leslie cabinet, but the Leslie simulator on my Nord (the red keyboard) has a very good Leslie simulation.
Regarding an injury, that depends on several things. First off, we follow the band leader. He's got a direct line to the stage manager to let him know whether they will stop the show or not to aid the injured performer. There's actually a telephone on the stage next to him with a light on it. If the light goes on, he picks up the phone to get further instructions while we're still playing.
The show closed in 2006 as a "big top" show that was a little under 3 hours long. The show was revamped for arenas a year later, no more big top tent. Yes, this video was a big top show. It was the very last day of that version of Saltimbanco. We did 2 shows that evening. This is the first of that night, so it's the 2nd to the last showing. I believe about 1/2 (or a bit less) of the big top performers and crew are on the current show.
This line up never did a live recording, but there is a live CD for Saltimbanco with a previous band (same bassist/bandleader). Glad the band liked it. Have a safe tour.
I only watched this act once, during the dress rehearsal, but listened to it evey night from back stage... So many good memories, such a fantastic vibe !!! It´s great to see you playing !!!
glad you're gigging. i was hoping it would be fun and inspirational. at some point i'll make the time to post another. but i believe these were the 2 best examples because there was so much going on in the show and with the keyboardist.
Nossa muito bom, sou pianista e tecladista,aqui na minha cidade, confesso que quando fui ver o show no Saltimbanco, prestei mais atenção nos músicos ma trilha sonora doq no próprio show, em alguns momentos quase tive um orgasmo de tao ferrado a trilha sonora. powww muito bom mesmo.
@TheMrsrt8 When i saw it, it was a TD20 roland kit, from what i could see from a while back. Best electric kit on the market in my opinion, 11 grand though so....
@speedydavy the drummer is triggering that 2-bar loop from one of his electronic pads. in this old set up of the show, he had to hit the pad every 2 bars to re-trigger the sample. i don't know how they do it in the new saltimbanco arena show which has a brand new set up.
We're up on a riser above the acrobats stage. It's hard to tell on this video because the riser blends in w/the stage. Do you see that spot of light on the stage behind me? Look at the very top of the light, you'll see the line that separate the stage and the riser.
@armenjc Superb keyboard playing, how you manage to concentrate with all the circus performers around is amazing. Have you any more views of your keyboard playing from this angle, did you film the whole performance?
Ya know, as a musician, I tend to watch stuff and wonder afterward what was going on in the band; now you've shown me a glimpse of that. I wish there were more videos like this, especially from Cirque shows! Are you still in this show?
no. they closed the show in the big-top format in 2006 and re-opened as an arena tour. they are travelling week-to-week from town to town now. no spouses on the tour. not into that rock-n-roll touring style.
I was at the last Saltimbanco in Montreal yesterday and after, I've searched youtube for good quality live footage filmed recently and found nothing.Please, if you have many of these console recordings , can you post especially ''rideau'' and pieces not on the cd thanks and good luck for the future...
Since you said that that was your last time with Saltimbanco, does that mean that they fired (Laid off dare I say) all of the Saltimbanco crew, artists, musicians, and EVERYONE? And was this video preformed under the grand tent?
Another question for you.... What is producing the percussion track during the song? (separate from the drum kit part) Is it one of your keyboards that you are controlling? (like midi) Or is it coming from another part of the band?
Glad you're enjoying the video! The audition was actually fun. Everyone was very nice. They had me vamp during certain sections, they simulated some live situations where I had to switch musical sections right in the middle of the bar following a bandleaders "Three, four!" like you hear in this video, and they had me solo over some changes. I had a good time.
Can I ask, did you prepare any specific music before the audition ? classical, jazz ect... and what would you say they look for in musicians ? Thanks for replying :)
Armen Chakmakian thanks for showing your work! I've already recorded and sent the material for the Pre online selection. I dream to work someday at cirque du soléil as keyboardist. Do you know if they have any preference regarding what you are asked to show them? Egg classical jazz compositions? Cheers from Argentina!
![El Vega - Te Encontre [Oficial Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8g3KHA8ROiA/mqdefault.jpg)
This is a far cry from my days with Ringling Brothers band and the elephant poop. Nice to hear something other than a Sousa march LOL!!!
No animals in Cirque du Soleil so didn’t have to deal with elephant poop! Lol
I auditioned then got the call for Saltimbanco 6 months later. The audition was relaxing - they were very cool...asked me to play something for them, so I played one of my compositions. Then they'd play something for me and ask me to play it back for them.
I like to see the band behind the scenes ! Very good !!
I'll number them #1(bottom)-#4 (top):
1)Roland Fantom-X8
2)Kurzweil K2000
3)Korg Wavestation
4)Nord Electro 2 Seventy-Three
There is a rack to my right that you cannot see that had several modules. I believe in this tune the horn sounds are layered with a K2500 in the rack.
Pretty old-school huh?
I got more that I bargained for with this. Thanks for all of the added info. I have been a fan of the Saltimbanco soundtrack and especially Barock since the early nineties. Thanks for posting.
You're very welcome!
I saw Saltimbanco in San Francisco and then was surprised to see that they were in Amsterdam while I was on a one night layover on the front end of my two month romp in West Africa. I did my "spare ticket" thing out front and was lucky enough to get in. Were you playing either of those?
Steve Windows No. I stopped performing with them in 2006.
@TheMrsrt8 Google "Leslie Speaker" or "Leslie Speaker Cabinet" and you will see what gives the organ sound that doppler-type "vibrato" that you hear speeding up and slowing down. The speakers/horns inside the cabinet actually spin to create that effect. I'm not using a actual Leslie cabinet, but the Leslie simulator on my Nord (the red keyboard) has a very good Leslie simulation.
I'm glad everyone is enjoying these so much!
Regarding an injury, that depends on several things. First off, we follow the band leader. He's got a direct line to the stage manager to let him know whether they will stop the show or not to aid the injured performer. There's actually a telephone on the stage next to him with a light on it. If the light goes on, he picks up the phone to get further instructions while we're still playing.
the only music that remains in the show from our days is the drummer serge. the news guys should be listed on the saltimbanco website.
So dang good 😍 I might have to buy the original Saltimbanco soundtrack. I’ve missed it.
The show closed in 2006 as a "big top" show that was a little under 3 hours long. The show was revamped for arenas a year later, no more big top tent. Yes, this video was a big top show. It was the very last day of that version of Saltimbanco. We did 2 shows that evening. This is the first of that night, so it's the 2nd to the last showing. I believe about 1/2 (or a bit less) of the big top performers and crew are on the current show.
VERY cool. That's a great way of showing us how it's done, man!
The Nord (red) was mine. The others were property of Cirque and set up by the previous keyboardists.
This line up never did a live recording, but there is a live CD for Saltimbanco with a previous band (same bassist/bandleader).
Glad the band liked it. Have a safe tour.
I only watched this act once, during the dress rehearsal, but listened to it evey night from back stage... So many good memories, such a fantastic vibe !!! It´s great to see you playing !!!
I just saw this show today at freedom hall, it was pretty awesome.
Thanks so much for posting this video. I've loved Cirque music for many, many years and to see this behind the scenes stuff is AMAZING!
I think this was the 2nd to the last show in Rio. The synthesizer with the horns patch is the Kurzweil K2000. The Organ is my Nord Electro 2.
this version of the show ended in december 2006. that was my last time with saltimbanco.
glad you're gigging. i was hoping it would be fun and inspirational. at some point i'll make the time to post another. but i believe these were the 2 best examples because there was so much going on in the show and with the keyboardist.
Can't wait to see this this Sunday!!!
the musicians in this video are listed at the top of the video
Nossa muito bom, sou pianista e tecladista,aqui na minha cidade, confesso que quando fui ver o show no Saltimbanco, prestei mais atenção nos músicos ma trilha sonora doq no próprio show, em alguns momentos quase tive um orgasmo de tao ferrado a trilha sonora. powww muito bom mesmo.
Chakmakian, you are the man! :)
This is fun Armen!
This is one of the most educational and interesting videos about performing with CDS! Thanks a lot, I learned a lot!
PablasMusica You’re welcome. Glad you enjoyed it.
@TheMrsrt8 When i saw it, it was a TD20 roland kit, from what i could see from a while back. Best electric kit on the market in my opinion, 11 grand though so....
you're welcome rhino. i'm so glad you enjoyed them. don't envy me, you can get a cool gig too!
not on the arena gig, but hope to see it one day.
Our drummer had an electronic drum pad that would trigger a 2-bar loop. The loop was on a sampler. I don't know which sampler he was using.
Amazing work that you do, Armen! Congratulations, I loved it! ;)
pretty awesome man, thanks for sharing!
Wow Wow you are totally amazing!!! Four keyboards!!! I love Cirque shows and love the music... its soooo cool to see this!! Thanks for uploading!!
was a blast! glad you enjoyed.
Your so awesome, im a huge cirque du soleil fan, and this video was a huge treat!
Love your work. Cheers from Portugal
i don't know about the current version. but in the version on this video from 2006 we'd go into the chinese poles act.
@Wtrois That top keyboard is a Nord Electro 2 - has some other great sounds as well. Check it out.
excelent, you have mi admiration!
awe thank you lulu :-)
I think that's the K2000. there was a WaveStation too...I think the K2000 was 2nd from the bottom
@speedydavy the drummer is triggering that 2-bar loop from one of his electronic pads. in this old set up of the show, he had to hit the pad every 2 bars to re-trigger the sample. i don't know how they do it in the new saltimbanco arena show which has a brand new set up.
Very nice!
Super 👏🏼👏🏼
Obrigado Lucas!
awesome!!!
you're right. they pulled that info off their site for some reason.
@TheMrsrt8 not sure. i do know it was an acoustic set mixed in with a couple electronic pads.
We're up on a riser above the acrobats stage. It's hard to tell on this video because the riser blends in w/the stage. Do you see that spot of light on the stage behind me? Look at the very top of the light, you'll see the line that separate the stage and the riser.
Oh Man, Do I have to relinquish the title of "midioverlord"? Really cool stuff, as always, impressed with your playing. good job!!!
@Equalizerized I don't know. Look on their web site for more info.
The part that I was asking about the keyboard was the time (1:32) I love that part!
Muito bom mano!!
Obrigado!
benoit had a pedal board with a variety of pedals
no. my tour ended in rio 2006
That was awesome, remember to beware of stray performers!
@armenjc Superb keyboard playing, how you manage to concentrate with all the circus performers around is amazing. Have you any more views of your keyboard playing from this angle, did you film the whole performance?
Ya know, as a musician, I tend to watch stuff and wonder afterward what was going on in the band; now you've shown me a glimpse of that. I wish there were more videos like this, especially from Cirque shows! Are you still in this show?
trabajaste en el cirque du soleil
we split up most of the sound effects among the band members.
no. they closed the show in the big-top format in 2006 and re-opened as an arena tour. they are travelling week-to-week from town to town now. no spouses on the tour. not into that rock-n-roll touring style.
cover of urgence by saltimbanco in guitar
I love the way you play ''rideau'' on the piano...do you have this kind of footage for that piece ?
I was at the last Saltimbanco in Montreal yesterday and after, I've searched youtube for good quality live footage filmed recently and found nothing.Please, if you have many of these console recordings , can you post especially ''rideau'' and pieces not on the cd
thanks and good luck for the future...
In the video Saltimbanco Adagio LIFESAVER (On TH-cam), what hapens after that? Do you all skip to the next act, Chinese Poles?
He's not on the Arena Tour.
Since you said that that was your last time with Saltimbanco, does that mean that they fired (Laid off dare I say) all of the Saltimbanco crew, artists, musicians, and EVERYONE? And was this video preformed under the grand tent?
Hey armen, how long did it take you to join Cirque? How was the audition/what did they make you do?
Can you please answer this question: What synthesizer do you use for (1:18) and the organs you use?
Is this the last show Saltimbanco preformed before closing in 2006?
Does Cirque Du Soleil sell sheet music books at all?
Are you currently touring with Saltimbanco? Why did they dis-continue Saltimbanco?
Another question for you.... What is producing the percussion track during the song? (separate from the drum kit part) Is it one of your keyboards that you are controlling? (like midi) Or is it coming from another part of the band?
I think I have watched this video about 10 times :) What was the auditions process like for you ? Thanks.
Glad you're enjoying the video! The audition was actually fun. Everyone was very nice. They had me vamp during certain sections, they simulated some live situations where I had to switch musical sections right in the middle of the bar following a bandleaders "Three, four!" like you hear in this video, and they had me solo over some changes. I had a good time.
Can I ask, did you prepare any specific music before the audition ? classical, jazz ect... and what would you say they look for in musicians ? Thanks for replying :)
Armen Chakmakian thanks for showing your work! I've already recorded and sent the material for the Pre online selection. I dream to work someday at cirque du soléil as keyboardist. Do you know if they have any preference regarding what you are asked to show them? Egg classical jazz compositions? Cheers from Argentina!
Why are your keyboards on the ground (stage). I thought the band had a little section just for you guys?
Are you still touring with Saltimbanco?
nice refference to our football!!!
That was our band leaders idea :-) The audience always cheered very loudly when we did that!
where has the video of the actual russian swings performance gone ?
WillNichollsTV It should still be here. I just checked.
Are you still playing on Cirque?? any tips for a Chilean piano player??
No. My tour ended in 2006. Go to the Cirque du Soleil casting website and go through the audition process on there. That's the best way. Good luck!
thanks!! and btw, exellent job here!!
COVER OF URGENCE BY SALTIMBANCO :( IN GUITAR
What keyboards do you use? Norg Electro and?
what does Leslie mean?
@JuanRodriguezDrummer No
@JuanRodriguezDrummer No.
that would be tedious!
hey armen!
have another question for you: what drum set was used during your career as keyboardist?
Thanks!!! :-)