Throughout November the city of Lausanne is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the death of Johann Sebastian Bach with concerts in churches throughout the city.

Kei Koito, who founded and is director of Lausanne's annual Bach Festival, was organ soloist at the opening concert. She played "The Art of the Fugue", which in music terms is regarded by many scholars as the composer's last will and testament. He was working on the first printed edition of the piece when he died.

"I chose it because it is such an appropriate choice to begin the festival on this anniversary," said Koito, who regards Bach as the greatest composer of all time and is one of the world's leading interpreters of his works.

Born in Japan, she has for many years been based in Switzerland and is professor of organ at Lausanne's music conservatory.

Nearly 30 other organists specialising in the works of Bach will also be giving concerts, and the festival programme offers a rare opportunity for music lovers to hear his entire organ opus.

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