COMPOSITION + PERFORMANCE VIDEOS

Hertabuise for narrator and violin (2021)
Composer: Melia Watras
Poem by Herbert Woodward Martin
Performers: Herbert Woodward Martin, narrator; Michael Jinsoo Lim, violin
Video: Michelle Smith-Lewis
Video footage of Herbert Woodward Martin courtesy of Brigham Fisher
From the album Melia Watras: Play/Write on Planet M Records

Dear Nightingale for viola solo (2020)
Composer: Melia Watras
Performer: Tekla Cunningham, baroque viola
Video: Michelle Smith-Lewis

to be two for violin and viola (2021)
Composer: Leilehua Lanzilotti
Peformers: Michael Jinsoo Lim, violin; Melia Watras, viola
Video: Gahlord Dewald
From the album Melia Watras: Play/Write on Planet M Records

Melia Watras and her UW student Flora Cummings perform selections from Béla Bartók’s 44 Duos for Two Violins (transcribed for viola by William Primrose). Recorded live at Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater, University of Washington, Seattle, WA on
November 30, 2023.

Vocalist Carrie Henneman Shaw and violinist Michael Jinsoo Lim perform the world premiere of Melia Watras/Madeline Warner’s String Theory I for one or more performers (2020). Recorded live at Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater, University of Washington, Seattle, WA on May 4, 2023. Photos of graphic score by Michelle Smith-Lewis. Audio and video by Gary Louie and Meany Stage Technicians.

Vocalist Carrie Henneman Shaw and violinist Michael Jinsoo Lim perform the world premiere of Madeline Warner/Melia Watras’s String Theory II for one or more performers (2020). Recorded live at Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater, University of Washington, Seattle, WA on May 4, 2023. Photos of graphic score by Michelle Smith-Lewis. Audio and video by Gary Louie and Meany Stage Technicians.

3 Songs for Bellows, Buttons and Keys for accordion (2021)
I. From…
II. More or Leslie
III. Lawn Flamingos of Doom
Composer: Melia Watras
Performer: Jeanne Velonis
Video: Jeanne Velonis
From the album Melia Watras: 3 Songs for Bellows, Buttons and Keys on Planet M Records

Kreutzer for violin, viola and cello (2016)
IV. Allegro agitato
Composer: Melia Watras
Performers: Frequency: Michael Jinsoo Lim, violin; Melia Watras, viola; Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir, cello
Video: Michelle Smith-Lewis
From the album Melia Watras: String Masks on Planet M Records

Trailer for Sheila Daniels’s upcoming documentary, Hidden Bodies: Stereotyping and Shaming of the Femme Body in American Theatre

Music: Firefly for voices and cello (2018)
Composer: Melia Watras
Performers: Michael Jinsoo Lim and Melia Watras (voices), Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir, cello

Cellist Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir performs Melia Watras’s Vetur for cello solo (2016) live on King-FM’s Northwest Focus Live on September 24, 2021.

Violinist Rachel Lee Priday performs the world premiere of Melia Watras's Echo for violin solo, at Town Hall Seattle on Oct. 28, 2020.

Video editor and cinematographer: Josh Manley
Sound engineer: Luke Kehrwald

Violinist Michael Jinsoo Lim and Herbert Woodward Martin (recorded voice) perform the world premiere of Melia Watras's Hertabuise for narrator and violin (2021); poetry by Herbert Woodward Martin. Recorded live at Katharyn Alvord Gerlich Theater, University of Washington, Seattle, WA on April 11, 2022. Photo projections by Michelle Smith-Lewis; video of Herbert Woodward Martin by Brigham Fisher.

String Masks for voices, violin, viola, Harmonic Canon, Cloud-Chamber Bowls and Bass Marimba (2017)
II. Crossing
Composer: Melia Watras
Performers: Melia Watras, viola; Charles Corey, Bass Marimba
Video: Michelle Smith-Lewis
From the album "Melia Watras: String Masks" on Planet M Records

Melia Watras: Barking up which tree?
for any instrument(s) (2019)
Realized by Bonnie Whiting, percussion
Graphic Score: concept and drawing (colored pencil on plane tree bark) by Melia Watras, photography by Michelle Smith-Lewis
Videography: Bonnie Whiting

Melia Watras: Reflection for violin and viola
Dedicated to Henry and Sun Boo Lim, my dear 아 버 님/father-in-law and
어 머 님/mother-in-law.
Michael Jinsoo Lim, violin; Melia Watras, viola
임 홍 철/Henry C. Lim: 1935-2021
이 선 부/Sun Boo Lee Lim: 1935-2021
Traditional Korean clothing: 한 복 (hanbok) and funeral armbands made by Carol Lim and Natalie Lim Cheatham

William Wilson for voice and violin (2016)
Composer: Melia Watras
Performer: Michael Jinsoo Lim, voice and violin Video: Michelle Smith-Lewis
From the album Melia Watras: Firefly Songs on Planet M Records

Wise Tentacles for violin and cello (2017)
Composer: Melia Watras
Performers: Michael Jinsoo Lim, violin; Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir, cello
Video: Michelle Smith-Lewis
From the album Melia Watras: Firefly Songs on Planet M Records

Pianist Cristina Valdés performs the world premiere of Melia' Watras’s Otra vez for piano (2019) for New Music Gathering 2020 Reimagined.

String Masks for voices, violin, viola, Harmonic Canon, Cloud-Chamber Bowls and Bass Marimba (2017)
I. Transience
This video is of the first movement of String Masks. The work is in three movements overall: I. Transience, II. Crossing, III. Welcome.
Composer: Melia Watras
Text: Sean Harvey
Performers: Sheila Daniels, actor/director; Jose Gonzales, actor; Rhonda J. Soikowski, actor; Michael Jinsoo Lim, violin; Melia Watras, viola; Charles Corey, Harmonic Canon and Bass Marimba; Bonnie Whiting, Cloud-Chamber Bowls
Recorded live at Gerlich Theater, University of Washington, Seattle, WA on April 17, 2019. Videography by Jerry Morrison.

Viola for narrator and viola (2017)
Composer: Melia Watras
Text: Arturo Alto
Performers: Arturo Alto, narrator; Melia Watras, viola
Videography: Steve Sobiech, Bloomington Gramophone

Berceuse with a Singer in London for voice and viola (2015)
Composer: Melia Watras
Text: Michael Jinsoo Lim
Performers: Galia Arad, voice; Melia Watras, viola
Video: Michael Jinsoo Lim
From the album Melia Watras: Schumann Resonances on Planet M Records
Video premiered by King-FM Seattle’s Second Inversion

Liquid Voices
Music: Liquid Voices (2013) for violin and viola/ Composed by Melia Watras/Performed by Michael Jinsoo Lim (violin) and Melia Watras (viola)
Video: Directed and edited by Ha Na Lee/ Cinematography: Martin Jarmick/Woman: Leah O'Brien/Production Assistant: Robert Twomey/ Visual media © 2017 Ha Na Lee
Video premiered by King-FM Seattle’s Second Inversion

Strings Sessions presents Melia Watras and Michael Jinsoo Lim live at the Strings studio, Richmond, CA, June 9, 2017. Watras: Lament (2016); Watras: Luminous Points (2014); Atar Arad: Esther (2007). Audio/ Video Production by Joey Lusterman, Hugh O’Connor, Stephanie Powell, Megan Westberg and Olivia Wise.

Violinist Michael Jinsoo Lim performs the world premiere of Melia Watras's William Wilson for voice and violin (2016). Text by Edgar Allan Poe. Recorded live at Meany Theater, University of Washington, Seattle, WA on March 28, 2018. Videography by Jerry Morrison.

Violinist Yura Lee and violist Melia Watras perform Bruno Maderna's Ständchen für Tini for violin and viola (1972). Recorded live at Meany Theater, University of Washington, Seattle, WA on May 27, 2018. Videography by Jerry Morrison.

Violinist Yura Lee and violist Melia Watras perform the world premiere of Melia Watras's Lontano for violin and viola (2017). Recorded live at Meany Theater, University of Washington, Seattle, WA on May 27, 2018. Videography by Jerry Morrison.

Violinist Michael Jinsoo Lim performs the world premiere of Melia Watras's Doppelgänger Dances for violin solo (2017). Recorded live at Meany Theater, University of Washington, Seattle, WA on March 28, 2018. Videography by Jerry Morrison.

Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir performs Melia Watras's Prelude for cello solo (2014). Recorded live at Brechemin Auditorium, University of Washington, Seattle, WA on May 13, 2017. Videography by Bill Mohn.

Second Inversion's On Demand Videos:
Violist Melia Watras embraces the composer-performer role in this video, alongside her husband Michael Jinsoo Lim, for a performance of Watras' Berceuse, recorded here in our studios on April 3, 2016.

Violinist Michael Jinsoo Lim and violist Melia Watras improvise on a passage from Tolstoy's The Kreutzer Sonata. Recorded live, from the debut concert of Frequency (www.frequencyensemble.com), on Oct. 23, 2016, University of Washington, Meany Theater, Seattle, WA. Bill Mohn, videographer.

Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir performs Melia Watras's Vetur öngum lánar lið for voice and cello (2016). Text by Bjarni Jónsson. Filmed at Bastyr University Chapel, Kenmore, WA on June 21, 2016. Videographer/Editor: Ryan Geoffrey Walker; Audio by Seattle Music, Inc.: Audio Producer: David Sabee, Audio Engineer: Kory Kruckenberg

Morton Feldman's Rothko Chapel performed by the Seattle Modern Orchestra, Julia Tai (conductor), Melia Watras (viola), Stephen Olsen (celesta), Brian Yarkovsky (percussion) and Sarah Marroquin (soprano). Recorded live at the Chapel Performance Space, Seattle, WA on May 19, 2012. Videography by Bill Mohn and Matt Holmes.

The University Symphony in rehearsal for its end-of-year concert, Friday, June 3, 7:30 p.m. at Meany Theater. With faculty artist Melia Watras, featured soloist on the Penderecki Viola Concerto (1983).

Harry Partch: The Street; Charles Corey, harmonic canon II and voice; Melia Watras, bass marimba. Performed on Harry Partch’s original instruments at the University of Washington. Filmed by Second Inversion.

Preview for Crime and Punishment, directed by Sheila Daniels, Intiman Theater, 2009. Music from Melia Watras’s album Viola Solo.

Knox: Crystal Paths 2 for Bass Marimba and viola d'amore; Garth Knox, viola d'amore; Melia Watras, Bass Marimba

Luciano Berio: Black is the color...
Galia Arad, mezzo-soprano; Melia Watras, viola; Valerie Muzzolini Gordon, harp
From the album Melia Watras: Ispirare available from Sono Luminus
Video premiered by King-FM Seattle’s Second Inversion

Harry Partch: The Wind; Charles Corey, harmonic canon II and voice; Melia Watras, bass marimba. Performed on Harry Partch’s original instruments at the University of Washington. Filmed by Second Inversion.

Garth Knox: Viola Spaces No. 1: Beside the bridge (sul ponticello); Garth Knox and Melia Watras, violas; filmed at DXARTS, University of Washington.

Garth Knox: Viola Spaces No. 2: Ghosts (sul tasto); Garth Knox and Melia Watras, violas; filmed at DXARTS, University of Washington.

Garth Knox: Viola Spaces No. 3: One finger (glissando); Garth Knox and Melia Watras, violas; filmed at DXARTS, University of Washington.

Garth Knox: Viola Spaces No. 4: Nine fingers (pizzicato); Garth Knox and Melia Watras, violas; filmed at DXARTS, University of Washington.

Garth Knox: Viola Spaces No. 5: Rapid repeat (tremolo); Garth Knox and Melia Watras, violas; filmed at DXARTS, University of Washington.

Garth Knox: Viola Spaces No. 6: Harmonic horizon (harmonics); Garth Knox and Melia Watras, violas; filmed at DXARTS, University of Washington.

Garth Knox: Viola Spaces No. 7: In between (quarter tones); Garth Knox and Melia Watras, violas; filmed at DXARTS, University of Washington.

Garth Knox: Viola Spaces No. 8: Up, down, sideways, round (bow directions); Garth Knox and Melia Watras, violas; filmed at DXARTS, University of Washington.

Shulamit Ran and Melia Watras discuss their work on Perfect Storm, the solo viola piece Watras commissioned from Ran. Video by Elena Guobyte.

Violinist Michael Jinsoo Lim and violist Melia Watras perform the world premiere of Richard Karpen's Bicinium. Recorded live at Meany Theater, University of Washington, Seattle, WA on January 13, 2014. Videography by Bill Mohn.

Violist Melia Watras improvises a piece live at the University of Washington on January 11, 2012. Video recorded by Latona Arts.

An excerpt of Melia Watras's world premiere performance of Juan Pampin's Nada, for viola and live electronics at Meany Theater at the University of Washington on October 23, 2006, Seattle, WA. Video by DXARTS, University of Washington.