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Bernard F. Page
Born: circa 1886. Died: Unknown.
In March 1913, "The Tango Song" was published in the Equinox Vol I, No 9 within a sketch by Aleister Crowley called, "The Tango." The music was written by Bernard F. Page and features the words of Aleister Crowley.
The New Zealand National Library holds two further scores:
Page had been engaged in the study of music since he was three years old. His first official appointment came at age 11 when he was appointed deputy-organist at the Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, Wandsworth. While still in that position, he was further appointed organist at His Majesty’s Prison, Wandsworth, where he held office until 1902. In that year he went to the Church of St. Mary Magdalen, Brockley, and in 1903 was appointed to St Anne’s, Vauxhall. From June 1910, until the date of his Wellington appointment, he was organist at the Carmelite church, Kensington—one of the most important Roman Catholic churches in London at the time and well-regarded for the quality of its music.
Page had given about 100 recitals in different parts of London.
In May 1913, at 27 years of age, Page bet 86 applicants to be appointed City Organist for the city of Wellington in New Zealand.
One paper reports that “While he had established for himself a most enviable reputation, both as a skilled organist and as a composer of some note, the Wellington appointment was considered rather a triumph for a player of Page’s years.” While another suggests, “It was for health reasons that an organist of such standing came to New Zealand.” Whichever the case, the Town Clerk dispatched the following cablegram to London to Page:—“Appointed. When can you conveniently come? It is desirable that you should come here at once.”
Accompanied by his wife and children, Page arrived by the Rotorua to take up his new duties on 21 August 1913. The papers described him as “a young Englishman, of rather striking appearance, with the distinctive speech of a man of culture and education.”
The very evening of his arrival a formal welcome was made by the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. J.P. Luke at the meeting of the City Council. During the brief ceremony, Page occupied a seat alongside his Worship. The Mayor extended a very hearty welcome to the family on behalf of the citizens of Wellington. He commented on Page’s great reputation both as regards character and ability and took the opportunity of publicly stating the appointment by the board and the council had been a unanimous one. In the course of a brief response, Page thanked the Mayor for his kindly welcome while also noting he was not a stranger to the country.
The Wellington Town Hall Concert Organ is one of the few original Edwardian pipe organs in the world and is known internationally for its sound quality and historical value. For the next 19 years, Page would enjoy a high profile career as its Organist. Over this period he also became conductor of the Wellington Municipal Orchestra, the Royal Choral Union and the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society and was also know to play piano when needed. He also eventually became involved with radio broadcasting.
A de rigueur form of entertainment, Page’s Sunday organ recitals were well advertised, and newspaper articles abounded with reviews and articles about this local icon.
In June of 1918, the Auckland Star reports that Page had been called for Military Service. “With each succeeding ballot,” it complained, “prominent men in the public service and business life are called for their country’s service, but there has never been a list so interesting from this viewpoint as that of the first Class C ballot. It seems to have gathered in a very choice collection of administrative talent from the Wellington area. Incidentally, it will raise the question of essential public servants so acutely that the Government will be obliged to decide whether it will submit to the same inconvenience as the commercial world and do without some of its leading administrators.”
The Hawera & Normanby Star (Volume LXXVII, 18 July 1918, Page 4) later went on to report that Page had been rejected as ineligible for active service with no further detail provided.
In November 1920, The Dominion (Volume 14, Issue 51, 24 November 1920, Page 8) reports: “While boarding a city tramcar a few days ago Mr. Bernard F. Page (city organist) was following a lady, who suddenly stepped back, with the result that the back edge of her hat “sawed” across the ball of one of Mr. Page’s eyes. The injury was so painful that it was feared that the eye had been seriously injured. Mr. Page was taken to the Davis Street hospital, and has been there resting since Saturday last. Mr. Page’s many friends will be relieved to learn that this eyesight is not impaired, though his experience has been a very painful one. He may be about again by the end of the week.” |