Melia Watras

MELIA WATRAS: THE LESSON
for recorded voice, violin and viola (2017)

World Premiere: Atar Arad, recorded voice; Michael Jinsoo Lim, violin; Melia Watras, viola; March 28, 2018, Seattle, WA

Duration: 6:09

Program Notes:
Anyone who knows me knows how meaningful Atar Arad is to my life. My former professor at Indiana University, Atar inspires me as a performer, composer, teacher and human being. I am grateful to have been his student, and to be his friend.

The Lesson is an homage to Atar. As a teacher, Atar is second to none. He is a supreme violist and musician who knows what each of his students needs to become better. He delivers words of wisdom and encouragement, often with a touch of his trademark humor. I decided to write a piece that would feature audio clips of Atar’s voice (from viola lessons in his studio at Indiana) that would be played back alongside a violinist and a violist performing live.

I travelled to Bloomington in the fall of 2017 and spent two days recording Atar’s lessons.  As I observed his teaching, I saw remarkable transformations in each student, in just the one hour they spent with Atar. Atar’s patience, generosity and relentless pursuit of excellence truly make him a master teacher. Many thanks to Atar and his outstanding students, for allowing me to observe and record their lessons.

No matter how many times I listen to the recordings of Atar’s teaching, his words always fill my heart, and put a big smile on my face.

—Melia Watras

The Lesson is part of the cycle, Firefly Songs. It can be performed independently, in different combinations with the other works, or as part of the complete set.