Keiko Ogasawara was a celebrated Japanese organist and teacher, internationally renowned for her impeccable technique and profound interpretive sensitivity. Born in Tokyo, she studied at the city's University of the Arts before furthering her studies in Europe under the guidance of masters such as Anton Heiller in Vienna and Marie-Claire Alain in Paris. Her concert career rose to prominence after winning major competitions, including the St Albans International Organ Competition in 1969 and the ARD International Music Competition in Munich. She is universally acclaimed for her performances of the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach, whose recordings are considered a benchmark, and for her masterful interpretations of the repertoire of Olivier Messiaen. In addition to her concert activities, she served for many years as Professor of Organ at the Tokyo University of the Arts. For her contributions to music, she received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Award for Excellence from the Agency for Cultural Affairs of Japan.