DOHKE

by Skope • July 17, 2017

Looking at the word “liuto” would confuse most, as it’s not one of the more common instruments known round the world. Saying though it’s in the mandolin family starts to reveal the style and sound it can convey. A sound and style that DOHKE, Atsuo learned over time for a variety of reasons. Today his love has turned into quite the passion as he’s teamed up with pianist Yamao, Atsuko to form quite the musical duo. The two will present a show November 26, 2017 entitled Pleasure of Music No. 4. An attorney today, Dohke was once just a young man with music running through him. With that he was instructed in the late ’70s by celebrated mandolinist Mr. Hirayama, Eizaburo.

“Ma dove Sei” is a complex piece of music, especially if you’re not familiar with this form. It’s a beautifully crafted piece of work if you love mandolin and piano. It doesn’t matter who you are. That’s why it comes recommended as an experience to behold, mostly for any string lovers out there. It’s too serious for the mainstream but so what, ignore all such avenues, this is live music anyway. It can be heard over at Soundcloud and Reverbnation as he performs live, so check it out there. Many movements to go through in-order to fully appreciate. Take the time and you won’t be sorry.

“Micaela’s Aria” is an exquisite, mesmerizing experience. The wavering mandolin is staccato at its finest. It’s an uplifting, very moving piece indeed. It’s remarkable in every way if you do take the time to process it all, and why not, because it’s a zen feeling if you do. With “An Leukon” taking a sublime trip through the ears, before Time “To Say Goodbye” reinforces the power of music upon you even more. These are all haunting to a degree, but also quite delicate. And it’s not like a music lesson to have to labor in if you don’t know any classical music either. It’s very easy to digest that way.

Take “Pilgrim March” for one example, with its jangly sensation which it seems to completely ride on. It’s lovely how he commands the strings for overall domination of the arrangement. “Finlandia” is awesome too, in fact I find it even better because of how the extended length calls for more stretching out by Dohke. This one piece alone is worth any effort to take in such an artist. If you don’t like this you can at least walk away having heard it for all it’s worth. The internet is a good thing when it boils down to it, because it gets the music heard and it can travel longer distance in a flash. But this belongs out there anywhere it can be placed.

It never bores, but it’s not for everyone either, and sometimes a product is hard to digest without having to look for it. But you have-to get it somehow anymore, and I’m glad I heard Dohke. “Spartucs’s Adagio” is another assault on the ears worth partaking in as well. It’s another piece that takes you beyond the horizon of notes and back, with all the seriousness he can muster out of his instrument. It’s great, and even fantastic if you let it sink in. It won’t take long if this type of thing is even up your alley. But if so, you will definitely-want to hear every bit of what Dohke has-to offer.

Larry Toering