Mitsuki Dazai Koto Solo Recital
Mitsuki Dazai 2012 Photographed by Christopher Onstott
This recital program includes both traditional and contemporary music solos on the Koto.
two duets with an accomplished violinist, Tylor Neist, and one ensemble
piece featuring Mitsuki's own group called "Oregon Koto-kai".
About Koto
Koto is a traditional & venerable instrument of Japan, arriving in Japan through a
long evolutionary trail beginning in Central or Eastern parts of the Asian
Continent over a thousand years ago. The Standard Koto has 13 strings, while the
Bass Koto has 17 strings, with each string having it's own dedicated and moveable
bridge for tuning before and during the performance of each piece. Originally
silk, now dacron, these strings with supporting bridges are stretched across a
interior bridgework supporting a sounding board of paulownia wood, a tree found
mostly in Asia. Three finger picks of ivory along with bare finger picking & hand
manipulations serve to best bring forth the many unique and subtle acoustical
sounds and effects.
http://www.ThePortlandAlliance.org/music/koto
Mitsuki Dazai Koto Solo Recital
Saturday, August 17th 7:30 PM
Epworth United Methodist Church
1333 SE 28th Ave. Portland, OR 97214
(503) 232-5253
Church Parking is reserved for church members and seniors/handicaps ONLY, but there
are ample spaces in the friendly neighborhood.
5 (Reservation Recommended by Thursday, August 15th. Tickets will be ready for you
at will call desk)
kotomelodies@gmail.com or call (541) 513-6417
Please clearly describe your name & number of tickets you wish to reserve
About Artists:
Mitsuki Dazai (koto, 17 string bass koto)
Mitsuki Dazai, a graduate of Japan's renowned Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo,
majoring in western classical music. During her studies she felt drawn to
non-western music which eventually led Mitsuki on a circuitous route to a discovery
of Japanese music, as expressed by the lovely koto, and began studies in traditional
koto music. Inspired by the cultural veneration for this instrument, she pursued
advanced studies in contemporary koto music at the Sawai Koto Conservatory in Tokyo,
becoming a certified koto instructor schooled by modern koto masters Tadao Sawai and
world renowned Kazue Sawai.
In 2002, she moved to Oregon and began to perform professionally in the U.S., Japan,
Europe, and South America besides serving as a guest lecturer at several
universities in Oregon.
Mitsuki has released her solo CD album "AUTUMN" (2007) and has co-released "FAR
AWAY..Romances for koto" (2010), which was recorded with GRAMMY nominee artist
Michael Hoppe.
Tylor Neist (violin) Guest Artsist
Tylor is a versatile performer and creator who's talents span multiple mediums.
After being professionally trained as a classical violinist and composer, he then
pursued his love of acting.
As a musician, Tylor earned his Masters of Music from Manhattan School of Music and
Bachelors of Music from Boston University. He studied violin with Midori and the
former first violinist for the American String Quartet, Mitchell Stern, and a
founding member of the Muir Quartet, Bayla Keyes. Chamber music is his professed
musical passion, and he was fortunate to have studied with members of the Muir,
Juilliard, Emerson, and American string quartets.
Locally, Tylor has played with the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, Oregon Ballet,
Eugene Symphony, and Spokane Symphony, and NW New Music. He is a member of the piano
trio ThreePlay and the leader of Portland's indie classical group, Bridgetown
Orchestra.
Oregon Koto-kai (Oregon Koto Society)
Formed in 2012 under the inspiration and instruction of Mitsuki Dazai. All the
members have mastered the basic koto techniques and are making great efforts to
create this group as an unique group in the Pacific Northwest, expressing their
passion and love through the koto.
Performers in this concert; Ariyon Kawai, Atsuko Tokunaga, Colin Malloy, Eiko Kondo,
Keiko Twiss, Nobuko Chalfen, Noriko Dozono”
"People have only as much liberty as they have the intelligence to want
and the courage to take.” Emma Goldman