Baker's Student Encyclopedia of Music | Ibert, Jacques

(François Antoine), distinguished French composer; b. Paris, Aug. 15, 1890; d. there, Feb. 5, 1962. Ibert studied at the Paris Conservatory from 1911 to 1914. During World War I he served in the French navy, then returned to the Conservatory after the war ended.

Ibert received the Prix de Rome in 1919 for his cantata Le Poète et la fée. While in Rome, he wrote his most successful work, the symphonic suite Escales (Ports of Call, 1930), inspired by a Mediterranean cruise he took while serving in the navy. In 1937 he was appointed director of the Academie de France of Rome, and held this post until 1960. He was also administrator of the Réunion des Théâtres Lyriques Nationaux in Paris from 1955 to 1956. In 1956 he was elected a member of the Institut de France.

In his music, Ibert combines the best elements of IMPRESSIONISM and NEOCLASSICISM. There is an element of humor in his lighter works, such as his popular orchestral Divertissement and an even more popular piece, Le Petit âne blanc (The Little White Donkey) from the piano suite Histoires (1922). Ibert's craftsmanship is excellent. Other works include operas, ballets, and orchestral works.