Mark Clague: 'It's fascinating how Handel's Messiah takes on so much importance for so many communities'

[Violin Concertos by Black Composers of the 18th & 19th Centuries; Rachel Barton, violin; Encore Chamber Orchestra; Daniel Hege, Conductor; Cedille Records 90000 035 (1997)]

Yesterday AfriClassical posted an article by Aja Burrell Wood, “Community in Concert: Handel’s 'Messiah' at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem.” Mark Clague, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor of Musicology in the Department of Musicology at The University of Michigan. He is also Faculty Associate in the American Culture Program.

We have known of his work since the release of the CD Violin Concertos by Black Composers of the 18th & 19th Centuries; Rachel Barton, violin; Encore Chamber Orchestra; Daniel Hege, Conductor; Cedille Records 90000 035 (1997). Dr. Clague wrote an essay for the liner notes of that recording, From Commodity to Creator: The search for social equality through cultural virtuosity. He makes this comment on the article by Aja Burrell Wood:

“Thanks Aja for this report. It's fascinating how Handel's Messiah takes on so much importance for so many communities and how each community makes it their own. I hope I get a chance someday to hear the performance at Abyssinian.”

Comment by email:
Thanks Bill and thanks for all you do at Africlassical. [Mark Clague]