Eight hands met at one keyboard on Friday afternoon, February 6, as Concert & Cake returned to Christ Church Greenwich with a fast-moving opening that immediately filled the sanctuary with sound.
Founder and Artistic Director Rebecca J. Carda Leigh launched the program with Albert Lavignac’s Galop Marche Quartet, joined at the piano by Assistant Artistic Director Naomi Onda, Dr. Jin Lee, and Heymin Sohn. The work, written for four pianists seated together at a single instrument, unfolded with bright, march-like energy and tight coordination. Hands crossed and shifted quickly through rapid passages, and the ensemble’s timing remained crisp throughout.
The performance set a lively tone for the latest installment of Concert & Cake, the monthly First Friday series held at 1:30 p.m. in Greenwich. The free half-hour concerts have become a familiar community gathering point, drawing audiences into Christ Church for midday music in an intimate setting.
Friday’s opening quartet reflected the depth of experience among the musicians.
Dr. Jin Lee, an active recitalist and soloist with orchestras, maintains a career that spans performance and education in both the United States and abroad. Her teaching experience includes work at the university and preparatory levels, alongside ongoing concert engagements.
Heymin Sohn, also featured in the quartet, is recognized as a prizewinner in several major competitions, including the Steinway Society Competition of Western Pennsylvania and the University of Seoul Competition. In addition to her performance work, she specializes in teaching young children and has served in faculty and collaborative roles across a wide range of institutions.
Carda Leigh, whose performance career includes appearances at major venues nationally and internationally, founded Concert & Cake and continues to operate and sponsor the series. Her work in Greenwich has also included longstanding involvement in music education and accompaniment within local schools.
Following the opening work, Naomi Onda returned to the piano in a different role, performing as part of the New York-based duo WOWNY alongside vocalist Yoshiko “Yoppi” Watanabe.
Together, the pair offered Hanashi’s Same Old Story, followed by My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music. The shift from the athletic ensemble opening to voice and piano created a softer, more lyrical center to the program. Watanabe’s expressive vocal line carried clearly through the church, supported by Onda’s sensitive accompaniment and fluid phrasing.
Onda’s background bridges classical training and broad versatility. She began advanced music studies in Japan at a young age before earning a master’s degree from Osaka University of Arts. Since relocating to the United States in 2004, she has performed in venues including Lincoln Center and worked professionally as an accompanist in New York. In 2024, she formed WOWNY with Watanabe, releasing the duo’s debut single “Hanabira Namida.”
The program’s concluding selection brought another pianist to the keyboard, as Hiroko Miyake Dutton joined Onda for a four-hand performance of Maurice Ravel’s Bolero.
Ravel’s famous work, driven by its steady rhythmic pulse and gradual crescendo, translated into an intense piano collaboration. Dutton and Onda maintained the insistent momentum while shaping the piece’s long arc of buildup, bringing the afternoon to a powerful close.
Dutton’s career spans decades of performance in the United States, Germany, and Japan. She made her formal New York debut in 1980 at Carnegie (Weill) Recital Hall, where her playing received critical praise from The New York Times. Her work has included radio and television appearances, extensive teaching, and adjudication in major competitions. She holds degrees from Kobe College in Japan and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and continues to perform actively throughout the tristate area.
As the final chords of Bolero settled into the rafters of Christ Church, applause rose quickly from the audience. The musicians greeted listeners afterward during the series’ signature reception, a brief gathering that has become part of Concert & Cake’s charm and consistency.
Concert & Cake continues on the first Friday of each month at 1:30 p.m. at Christ Church Greenwich.
