⭐️Akiko Sato's 3rd solo album, "Tombow Dedicated to the Muse," will be released in the fall of 2026!

”Le Tombeau des Muses”

This album of French Baroque lute music was recorded on a lute entrusted to me by Professor Hideo Katayama, husband of my former teacher, Professor Chikako Katayama, who taught musicology at Tokyo University of the Arts.

Professor Hideo Katayama was also a keen lute player, and he and his wife gave me generous support and encouragement, particularly when I went abroad to continue my studies.

Professor Hideo Katayama passed away in 2023 after an illness. With gratitude and remembrance, I chose a programme centred on the tombeau — a musical tribute to the departed — and recorded these works as an expression of thanks and prayer.

Alessandro Piccinini: Tablatures for Chitarrone and Lute
This album presents a selection of works by Alessandro Piccinini, one of the leading lute composers of early seventeenth-century Italy, performed on the archlute and theorbo. It was selected as a recommended recording in the Asahi Shimbun’s “for your Collection”. Available from Amazon, Tower Records and other retailers.

Lullaby – English Renaissance Lute Music(Out of print)

“How can we create recordings of lute and early music that appeal to a wider audience? This album puts the answer into practice through its excellent choice of repertoire and performances. I am also grateful that the booklet, which so clearly reflects the artist’s personality, together with the vivid, lifelike recording, has exposed the outdated and obstinate nature of the early-music critical establishment.”

— Motoiwa Yato, Record Geijutsu, February 2015

Poesia Amorosa

Released in September 2025, this is the debut album by Ensemble Poesia Amorosa, an all-female early music ensemble featuring Kuniko Ueno (cornett), Rei Yorita (viola da gamba), Michiko Takahashi (soprano), and Akiko Sato (theorbo).

The album features works by seventeenth-century Italian composers, inspired by the poetry of Petrarch and other poets.

For more about Ensemble Poesia Amorosa, click here.

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Tamahibi – released in May 2021
Tamahibi is a duo formed by Michiko Takahashi, a distinctive singer active around the world, and Akiko Sato, a lutenist quietly (perhaps a little too quietly?) pursuing her own path in Japan.

For this recording, they are joined by Takayuki Kanai on Baroque guitar, a guitarist with a razor-sharp sense of rhythm and seriously cool improvisational skills. Together, they explore a colourful array of melodies that cross the boundaries of time and place!

CDs that we collaborated on

Italian Songs – Promusica Mission: Toshiyuki Tsumuraya with Toru Kaku (2024)

This delightful CD brings together well-loved Italian Baroque music performed by the young early music ensemble Promusica Mission, led by harpsichordist Toshiyuki Tsumuraya and baritone Toru Kaku. They are joined by Mie Ito (Baroque harp), Reo Sai (percussion), and myself on theorbo and Renaissance lute.

And there’s even a little Dowland!

Bassoon Concertos Vol. 3 – Miho Fukui (bassoon), Dominik Wörner (bass), Ensemble F (2024)

I had the pleasure of taking part in the third instalment of a recording project by Basel-based Baroque bassoonist Miho Fukui, featuring Vivaldi’s bassoon concertos. Bass singer Dominik Wörner also joins the ensemble on several tracks, with some truly breathtaking singing.

I played theorbo in Baroque lute tuning and Baroque guitar on this recording.

Luise Reichardt – Lieder
Toshiyuki Sakurai, baritone（2023）

This CD is devoted to songs by the Romantic-era composer Luise Reichardt, whose music has long been a special focus for the wonderful baritone Toshiyuki Sakurai.

I joined him on around six tracks, playing theorbo in Baroque lute tuning. Every song is wonderfully captivating.

Hiromi Nakamura – Arianna’s Lament (2022)

This CD features the warm, gentle voice of mezzo-soprano Hiromi Nakamura in vocal works by seventeenth-century Italian composers, including Monteverdi. She is accompanied by Baroque harp, Baroque guitar and theorbo, with myself on theorbo.

The Recorder of Love: Italian Recorder Music of the Renaissance and Baroque Periods (2021)

I joined recorder player Ai Asai on this recording, playing vihuela, Baroque guitar and theorbo.

Neapolitan Recorder Concertos – Mutsumi Motomura, recorder (2020)

I had the pleasure of joining the Dugong Boys and friends on this recording, playing theorbo and Baroque guitar.

Mad Songs – Sachi Yamaguchi, soprano (2020)

This recording features a highly imaginative selection of songs by soprano Sachi Yamaguchi. I play theorbo on the album.

Sachi now lives in Bulgaria, where she is also active as a singer.

DANSERYE – Sofio Armonico (2018)

I joined the Renaissance flute ensemble Sofio Armonico on this recording. The album features a delightful selection of Renaissance dances, including several pieces arranged for solo lute.

J. S. Bach: Secular Cantatas, Vol. 6 – “Trauerode”
Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki (2016)

Bach’s Cantata No. 198, written in memory of the Electress of Saxony, is the only one of his cantatas to include lutes. The score calls for two lutes, and I had the pleasure of performing alongside Shizuko Noiri, a Netherlands-based lutenist whose playing I have long admired.

Ô Doux Regard – Renaissance Flute
Sofio Armonico (2016)

This recording by Sofio Armonico, Japan’s first Renaissance flute consort, led by Ririko Maeda, features vocal and dance music from the Renaissance, as well as two pieces for solo lute.

Melancholia – The World of the Dulcimer (2013)

I joined dulcimer player Mikako Ogawa on this recording, playing six-course lute and vihuela. The dulcimer — known as the Hackbrett in German and salterio in Italian — is still a rarity in the world of early music. Its beautiful, sparkling sound blends wonderfully with the lute.

Lagrime mie – Sigismondo d’India / Barbara Strozzi: Madrigali e Canzonette (2009)

This album features soprano Tomomi Nakamaru singing Italian vocal music from the early seventeenth century. It also includes solo works by Kapsberger and Piccinini, which I perform on archlute and theorbo.

Elsie Piddock Skips in Her Sleep
Narrated by Keiko Sato (2009)

Keiko Sato narrates Eleanor Farjeon’s enchanting story in her calm and gentle style. The lute can be heard at the beginning and end of the story.

Keiko Sato passed away in September 2021. May she rest in peace.

Vivaldism – La Stravaganza Tokyo (2008)

I joined La Stravaganza Tokyo, a modern-instrument string ensemble, for this all-Vivaldi recording, playing basso continuo.