The Metropolitan Tower and Other Songs sets six poems of Sara Teasdale. This song cycle sets poems from Teasdale's volume Helen of Troy and Other Poems (1911), as well as poems published in various periodicals.

The composer's note and second audio selection of "The Metropolitan Tower" is made possible courtesy of the composer. The first audio selection is made possible through a collaboration between the Hampsong Foundation and SongFest. The performers are Katie Martin, soprano, and Barbara Bochenek, piano, and this performance took place at Pepperdine University at SongFest 2010.

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Composer's Note

“‘The Metropolitan Tower,’ the first art song that I ever composed, was written at the request of Lauren Wagner for inclusion on her debut CD. I listened to many art songs for guidance, and read much poetry. The simple lyricism of Sara Teasdale had an immediate appeal, and I was also attracted to ‘Secret Words’ and other songs by Paul Bowles. As in ‘Secret Words,’ melody is the primary force in ‘The Metropolitan Tower,’ and the piano accompaniment doubles the vocal line.”

–Lori Laitman

Songs

The Metropolitan Tower

Lori Laitman

Sara Teasdale