Category: Vocal Music / Art Song
Instrumentation: voice, piano
Duration: 2.5 minutes
Text / Source: Poem by Sara Teasdale
Publisher: North Star Music

Nights Without Sleep / A Composer’s Thoughts is a short, deeply personal art song for voice and piano, setting words by Sara Teasdale. The text offers a striking glimpse into the emotional process of composing music, reflecting the inward intensity, restlessness, and vulnerability that can accompany creative work.

Baxter worked on the song off and on for 15 years, giving the piece a special place within his vocal catalog. Intimate and concentrated, it reflects his lyrical approach to text setting and his ability to shape poetic meaning through clear melodic expression and sensitive harmonic color.

Nights Without Sleep / A Composer’s Thoughts is well suited for vocal recitals and contemporary art song programs, especially those exploring poetry, creativity, introspection, and the inner life of the artist. The song calls for direct communication, careful text delivery, and an understated emotional intensity.