Akiyoshi Sako is perhaps one of the most respected names in Japan today, revered by many of the world's top echelon of musicians as well as audiences the world over.

Mr. Sako's talents as a pianist blossomed from an early age. His interest in music was not just limited to the piano repertory however; but included chamber music, orchestral ensembles, and operatic works. He studied piano under Yasuko Nakayama and conducting under Kotaro Sato at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts.

1980 proved to be an auspicious year for the young Mr. Sako: he was honored with the Kreutzer Award while a graduate student at Tokyo University of the Arts, followed by a top prize finish of 2nd place at the 35th Geneva International Competition (1st prize was not awarded), and 1st prize at the Tokyo International Music Competition for chamber music.

Upon completion of his graduate studies at Tokyo University of the Arts, Mr. Sako received a scholarship grant from the German government to continue his studies under Klaus Schilde at the Munich Conservatory. 1983 saw Mr. Sako adding to his collection of prizes with a first place finish and the Spain Music Award at the 27th Jaen International Piano Competition. His achievements have brought him worldwide attention and an expanded international stage that includes not only Europe, but Canada and Asia as well.

Mr. Sako is highly sought after by the world's top musicians, both as concert pianist and chamber music artist. He is a popular favorite with the NHK Symphony Orchestra as well as other major orchestras of Japan. His reputation abroad is no less stunning as he has performed with such renowned orchestras as the Slovakia Philharmonic, the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Prague Symphony Orchestra and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. His duet performances with cellist Noboru Kamimura were awarded the ABC International Music Award in 1998.

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of his debut, Mr. Sako performed the complete cycle of Beethoven piano sonatas in a concert series at the Kobe Newspaper Matsukata Hall beginning January of 2001 and ending December the same year, followed by another series of 8 concerts given at Daiichi Seimei Hall in Tokyo. The concerts were the talk of the music public, creating a sensation among Japanese audiences as the print media drew national attention to this major event. Mr. Sako's Kobe performance is scheduled for release on a CD series by Camerata Tokyo starting in July 2003 under the title of "The Complete Beethoven Sonatas". Mr. Sako has released numerous CDs, many of which can be found on the Live Notes Label.

Mr. Sako conducted the Kyushu Symphony Orchestra in 1999, and was guest conductor with the Tokyo City Philharmonic in their subscription concert given in 2000 for which he conducted the Brahms symphonies. His rich experiences as a veteran concert and chamber music pianist were clearly evident in his meticulous approach to the music, none of which failed to attract a favorable reaction among his audiences. In 2002 he again took up the baton, conducting the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Sako has also conducted the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra and the Osaka Century Symphony Orchestra in performances of opera and aria pieces sung by the famous soprano Dimitra Theodossiou. He has proven himself to be a serious conductor worthy of the attention of many an enthusiastic music aficionado.

Mr. Sako is currently professor at Tokyo University of the Arts and lecturer at Tokyo College of Music.


Concerto Repertoire

Akiyoshi Sako Beethoven Piano Sonatas CD Review

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