Melia Watras

MELIA WATRAS: 5 POEMS OF HERBERT WOODWARD MARTIN
for narrator, violin and viola (2021)

World Premiere: Carrie Henneman Shaw, narrator; Michael Jinsoo Lim, violin; Melia Watras, viola; April 11, 2022, Seattle, WA

Duration: 13:54

Program Notes:
I have been lucky and grateful for many meaningful and important relationships in my life. One of these is with poet Herbert Woodward Martin and his family. 

When my father, Joseph Watras, took a professor position at the University of Dayton, he quickly became close with his new colleague, Herbert Martin, which sprouted friendships throughout generations of both families. That beginning was a little over four decades ago!

Among many things, Herb Martin is an expert and renowned scholar on the works of Paul Laurence Dunbar, and a spellbinding performer. Having the opportunity to hear him read is a revelation, and to hear his perspective on all things is a gift. 

For this composition, I reached out to Herb in February, 2021, and asked if I could set his poem titled Song: An Endless Flight. It has held special meaning for my husband and me since it was a part of the recitation Herb gave at our wedding. I was overjoyed when he said yes. As I corresponded with Herb, I realized I wanted to form a small collection, and decided on these five poems of his. The addition of three short voltas is a nod to Mussorgsky’s Promenades - here alluding to a turn of a page.

It was deeply moving to listen to Herb’s reading of his poetry as I composed. I am honored to include poems that Herb dedicated to Mike and me (Song: An Endless Flight) and to my parents (Fragment for Emily Dickinson). 

This collection is dedicated with affection and appreciation to Sue and Herbert Woodward Martin.

As a complete set, the pieces are performed in the order listed below. Each work may also stand alone, or in different combinations. 

Fragment for Emily Dickinson for narrator, violin and viola
Prima volta for violin solo
Normal Desires for narrator and viola (or violin)
Seconda volta for voice and violin
Mystery for narrator, violin and viola
In Pandemic Times for narrator and violin
Terza volta for violin and viola
Song: An Endless Flight for narrator, violin and viola

—Melia Watras

Photographs below by Michelle Smith-Lewis