Less is More | Atria Quartet & YiQiao Li

Beethoven, Julia Wolfe, and Fauré reveal the power of simplicity in an evening of chamber music with the Atria Quartet & pianist YiQiao Li. Less is More Capital Keys Concert Series | Concert II Atria Quartet with YiQiao Li, piano Saturday, February 27, 2027 | 7:00 PM Church of the Epiphany 1317 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 About the Concert How can less become more in music? Join Capital Keys Performing Arts Foundation for Less is More, an evening of chamber music exploring how simplicity, restraint, and repetition can create extraordinary musical expression. Featuring the University of Maryland's Atria Quartet alongside pianist YiQiao Li, the program brings together three composers from different generations: Ludwig van Beethoven, Julia Wolfe, and Gabriel Fauré. Beethoven's final string quartet, Op. 135, achieves remarkable emotional depth through concise musical ideas. Julia Wolfe's Early that summer builds intensity through minimalist repetition and shifting textures. Fauré's late Piano Quintet No. 2 creates an intimate, continuously evolving world of sound and color. Together, these works invite us to discover how some of music's most powerful moments emerge from the simplest gestures. Program Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135 (1826) Julia Wolfe (b. 1958) Early that summer (1993) Intermission Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924) Piano Quintet No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 115 (1919) Featuring YiQiao Li, piano Meet the Artists Atria Quartet is the University of Maryland School of Music's fellowship string quartet, formed in 2025. Named after the upper chambers of the heart, the ensemble seeks to connect with audiences through heartfelt performances. Its members are violinists Mari Jo Downing and Gaby Echiverri, violist Nicholas Wilbur, and cellist John Pablo Rojas. Their repertoire spans Baroque to contemporary music, including works by underrepresented composers. The quartet performs regularly at the university and throughout the community. YiQiao Li, pianist and Artist in Residence at Capital Keys Performing Arts Foundation, joins the quartet for Fauré's Piano Quintet No. 2. Tickets & Admission • Reserved Seating (Front 4 Rows): $42 • General Admission: $30 • Students, Seniors & Veterans: $15 • Children Ages 7–17: Free Admission* Capital Keys is committed to making live classical music accessible to audiences of all ages, particularly young musicians and students. About Capital Keys Capital Keys Performing Arts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to making exceptional classical music more accessible throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Through professional concerts, educational outreach, and collaborations with local musicians and arts organizations, we aim to inspire curious young musicians, introduce new audiences to classical music, and create meaningful connections within our community. Learn more at www.capitalkeys.org. *Free admission for children ages 7–17 requires accompaniment by an adult with a paid general admission ticket.