A new recording of music by William McClelland,
The Revenge of Hamish

Now available from Albany Records and
through all major record and online stores.

Read the reviews from Gramophone, Fanfare, Klassik-Heute and Music & Vision Magazines

Scroll down for extended MP3 samples and information on obtaining scores.

Albany Records has recently released a recording of choral works by composer William McClelland, The Revenge of Hamish. The first CD devoted to works by this American composer, the album includes settings of texts by some of America's finest poets and authors including Elizabeth Bishop, Richard Wilbur, Mary Oliver, E.E. Cummings and Conrad Aiken.

Featured are two powerful extended ballads: The Revenge of Hamish by Sidney Lanier, and The Ballad of Don and Dan by Ian Frazier. Hamish is a chilling tale set in the highlands of Scotland which McClelland brings to life with Celtic fiddle, piano and bodhran and traditional jigs and reels. Don and Dan describes a bizarre kidnapping 20 years ago in the mountains of Montana with a text drawn from news items written in the Montana papers at the time. The chorus is accompanied by electric guitar, piano, bass and drums.

Other works include Five Sonnets for Men's Voices, settings of Dante and John Bunyan, and a hymn entitled Collect Pond, undoubtedly the first musical work ever written about the activity of "Bag Snagging," the removal of plastic bags from trees!

McClelland's sensitivity to the singing voice and the rhythm and beauty of the written word will draw you into the unique world of each piece.

William McClelland grew up near Goodison, Michigan and now lives near New York City. His works have been commissioned and presented by ensembles and organizations throughout the US and internationally. He has collaborated on a series of projects with the artists Komar & Melamid and several works with writer Ian Frazier. As a performer he has premiered works by composers including John Cage and Carl Ruggles, and has produced recordings on the Albany and New World labels.

William McClelland

The Revenge of Hamish and Other Choral Works Song for the Rainy Season Elizabeth Bishop The Ballad of Don and Dan Ian Frazier Five Sonnets for Men's Voices Millay, Berryman, Aiken, Cummings, and Wilbur A Wood Richard Wilbur Collect Pond Thomas McClelland Wolf Moon Mary Oliver Dark Clouds Bring Waters John Bunyan The Revenge of Hamish Sidney Lanier In That Part of the Young Year Dante Alighieri Good Speaking - A Benediction Song Bill Meikle

Click the titles for sound samples and read texts: The Revenge of Hamish with Mary Rowell, violin, Diane Marazzi, piano and Bill Ruyle, bodhran Wolf Moon with pianist Deborah Jamini Oh, Think Not I Am Faithful to a Vow (from Five Sonnets for Men's Voices) Green, Green and Green Again (from Five Sonnets for Men's Voices) i have found what you are like (from Five Sonnets for Men's Voices) The Ballad of Don and Dan with John Benthal, guitar, Deborah Jamini, piano, Dennis Masuzzo, bass and Bill Ruyle, drums Collect Pond Song for the Rainy Season with pianist Deborah Jamini Dark Clouds Bring Waters Good Speaking - A Benediction Song All poetry used with permission. Music by William McClelland published by WMC Music. For information on scores, performance rights or any other questions on music by William McClelland, visit his website, email or telephone 201-854-7483. Home