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Vol.1
Vol.2
Vol.3
Beethoven Piano Sonatas Vol. 1
Piano Sonata No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 10-1
Piano Sonata No. 13 in E-flat Major, Op. 27-1
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27-2 "Moonlight"
Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata"
Record Geijutu, September Issue
My, how time flies. It seems like only yesterday when a young pianist by the name of Akiyoshi Sako released his first recording of Beethoven's "Hammerklavier" and "Moonlight" sonatas (Live Notes Label 1994). But already more than ten years have come and gone since he began making a name for himself as a Beethoven specialist. And now the young Sako is a self-assured and fully matured artist. His decision to record the complete Beethoven piano sonatas is no surprise. He was simply fulfilling an act of destiny.
Mr. Sako has also been busy carving out a career for himself as a conductor all while garnishing his already venerable reputation as a pianist. This is no easy feat considering he was able to squeeze in a performance of the complete cycle of Beethoven piano sonatas in a series of 8 concerts at Kobe Shimbun Matsukata Hall in 2001 while maintaining a hectic conducting schedule. And now this live concert series has been released under the Camerata Tokyo Label (2003). A characteristic trait of Mr. Sako's performances are his unaffected and transparent interpretations, not just in regard to his performances of Beethoven but no matter who the composer. In volume one of this CD compilation, Piano Sonata No.5 in c minor op.10-1; No.13 in e-flat major op.27-1; No.14 in c-sharp minor op.27-2 and No.23 in f minor op.57 "Appassionata" are all played without the least bit of affectation or showiness. The piano performance is meticulous. Anyone who listens to this CD will readily appreciate the fact that Mr. Sako's performance is at once vivacious and charged with energy, even during the strictly decorative passages, which can tend to be a bit monotonous at times. But then that is Mr. Sako's trademark and a real example of the way he lives his life as well. He brings his humanity to his music and that is why his Beethoven has so much soul to it. And that is the difference between someone who just plays the notes and someone who plays the music.
(Jiro Hamada)
Akiyoshi Sako plays Beethoven like a German-bred artist. His extremely polished tonal colors, solid technique and sense of phrasing are characteristically German in nature. His renditions of Beethoven's earlier sonatas are played with a clarity and articulation that are both poignant and refreshing and his phrasing is never exaggerated or excessively embellished. He gives the music a natural feel which can only be attributed to his quality musicianship. This is exemplified in his careful placement of every note and his ability to phrase every passage with just the right amount of nuance. This careful attention to detail keeps the music from unraveling as it evolves into its intended masterpiece.
The extemporaneous feel of Mr. Sako's interpretations may have something to do with the fact that this is a live performance. But you would never be able to tell that these sonatas were all performed on separate days unless you had a look at the recording data. As each sonata progresses into the next, Mr. Sako seems to become more atease, his awareness of the music deepens and his communicative powers become more compelling.
He begins the Piano Sonata No. 5 in c minor op. 10 no. 1 in a relaxed and assuming manner with just the right amount of tension that lends to a nicely lucid texture. The opening passages of the first movement of Sonata No. 13 in e-flat major op. 27 no. 1 is soft and sunny and the 3rd movement feels like a joyful waltz-like dance. The chords in the quick passages during the final movement are never muddled. Mr. Sako plays the first movement of the "Moonlight" sonata with an expressive reserve and nicely emphasizes the waltz-like rhythms of the allegretto section. He articulates the trio section masterfully, employing the use of accents and legato phrasing in a very natural manner. The 3rd movement is lighthearted and playful. In terms of scale, the "Appassionata" out flanks the other sonatas on this CD by a wide margin. Mr. Sako performs this masterpiece at full throttle, giving a performance that is exhilarating and powerful. Fans are sure to be looking forward to the rest of this CD collection with great anticipation.
(Tsutomu Nasuda )
Mostly Classic, September Issue
It looks as though Pianist Akiyoshi Sako will be releasing a volume collection of CDs featuring his live performance of the complete Beethoven piano sonatas given at Kobe Shimbun Matsukata Hall in 2001. This recording is the first CD of the cycle to be released and is a wonderful depiction of the pianist/conductor giving a thoroughly thought-provoking performance. Concert pianists who conduct and career conductors who perform as concert pianists are a dime a dozen in this world; however, when it comes to one or the other recording the complete Beethoven piano sonatas, well, let's just say you wouldn't need all the fingers of your right hand to count their numbers. Unless anyone objects, premier among this rare breed of artist would be Daniel Barenboim followed by Vladimir Ashkenazy who will be taking up his new post as Music Director of the NHK Symphony Orchestra in 2004. And just behind Ashkenazy is our very own Akiyoshi Sako. Mr. Sako undertook the daunting task of performing the complete Beethoven piano sonatas on the twentieth anniversary of his debut performance. This album was recorded live at Kobe Shimbun Matsukata Hall in 2001 and is the first release of the complete sonata cycle. The utterly exquisite and focused performance of Mr. Sako's musical interpretation leaves you in rapt attention from beginning to end. And to think it was during this same period that Mr. Sako's conducting career began to flourish. This young artist is a veritable fountain of energy. And this CD is bursting with the artistic reservoir of a prodigious talent.
Sankei Shimbun Newspaper, August 10, 2003
Almost every month one comes across scores of classical music albums featuring many a veteran Japanese artist filling the shelves of music stores across the nation. But seldom does one come across an album that grabs your attention like that of Pianist Akiyoshi Sako. Mr. Sako has just released the first of a series of disc recordingsof his live concert performances of the complete Beethoven piano sonatas given in Kobe in 2001. Featured on the CD is Beethoven's Piano Sonatas No.5 in c minor op.10-1; No.13 in e-flat major op.27-1; No.14 in c-sharp minor op.27-2; and No.23 in f minor op.57 "Appassionata." Each of the sonatas is exhilarating and charged with energy but is also infused with just the right amount of chromosomes giving the music a distinctly robust and masculine texture. The album is a delightful listening experience.
Mainichi Shimbun Newspaper, July 23, 2003
This CD is the first in a series of live recordings of Pianist Akiyoshi Sako at Kobe Shimbun Matsukata Hall in 2001. Mr. Sako performed the complete Beethoven sonatas and the long-awaited recordings are finally available to the public. The artist's interpretative depth is immediately evident on the first listening. The sophistication with which he plays the "Moonlight" and "Appassionata" sonatas far surpasses any previous recordings of the same material. And the final movement of Sonata No. 5 in c minor with its symphonic texturesis a must listen.
(Akira Hirano)
Ongaku Gendai, September Issue
Pianist Akiyoshi Sako is featured on the Camerata Tokyo Label in a series of live recordings of his performance of the complete Beethoven sonatas given at Kobe Shimbun Matsukata Hall in 2001. This CD is the first of the sonata cycle and captures beautifully the mature artistry and polished performances of this much sought-after pianist. This is not your typical showcase recital featuring your next fly-by-night amateur pianist. Mr. Sako's performance resounds with a professionalism one rarely encounters and that is what sets this CD apart from all the other self-ascribed Beethoven interpreters. Even in the ever popular "Moonlight" sonata, Mr. Sako's playing is never whimsical or attention-getting. His performance is measured and soul-searching and he plays with a wisdom that belies his young years.
(Tadao Aosawa)
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