Call of the Huia: 100 early New Zealand Art Songs
Your Grave Grey Eyes – Words by Alesteir Crowley
Cinnamon Curls – Words by Alesteir Crowley
Bernard F Page Photo: Public Domain
Bernard F. Page (1885? – 1955) came to Wellington in 1913 to take up the position of Wellington City Organist and was soon in the thick of musical activity in the capital, conducting the Wellington Municipal Orchestra, the Royal Choral Union and the Wellington Amateur Operatic Society.
He was a popular recitalist, particularly among the women, as he was considered a very handsome man.
He returned to England in 1932.
Alesteir Crowley (1875 – 1947) was a true English eccentric, mostly famous for being involved with several mystic and esoteric orders and one of the prominent members of the Ordo Templi Orientis, to which Page also belonged.
The two songs, ‘Your Grave Grey Eyes’ and ‘Cinnamon Curls’ are dated 1914, are dedicated to Jeanne Beauchamp, the youngest of the Beauchamp sisters. They are, however, rather risqué songs for a married man to be dedicating to a young, unmarried woman.
Recorded 12 February 2021, St Andrew's on The Terrace, Wellington by RNZ Concert
Producer: David McCaw for RNZ Concert
Engineer: Darryl Stack for RNZ Concert
Video: Chris Watson for SOUNZ
The Call of the Huia research project by music historian Michael Vinten is funded by the Lilburn Trust with support from the Alexander Turnbull Library, the Hocken Library, SOUNZ Centre for NZ Music, RNZ Concert and others. The scores with CDs for Call of the Huia can be purchased in hard copy or as digital download from SOUNZ.
