I couldn't find a Thread or WebSite, so here's the WikiPage:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Ibert
I have the original 2cd EMI (European?) set culled from recordings by Fremaux, Martinon, Pahud, and Van Dam:
http://www.amazon.com/Ibert-Divertissement-Escales-Concerto-Symphonie/dp/B0013D8K78/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1347168730&sr=1-2&keywords=ibert
I have heard and enjoyed his cello concerto with winds, and have thoroughly enjoyed the 'Complete Chamber Music' on Brilliant (Olympia) for a while,... and the big Flute Concerto, but I have never really given Ibert a listen until now.
The EMI set contains two previous recitals by Fremaux and Martinon, both from the '70s, and opens with the corker, Divertissement, which gets my vote for most eerily like a creepy Ives. All you Modern Music fans need to hear this, IMO, singularly visionary piece by Ibert; I'd almost say it's hallucinatory. What do you think?
The rest of the Fremaux set, the oddly chugging tugboat rhythms of Symphonie marine, and the three rousing Milhaud-meets-Honegger-meets-Roussel beer hall Tintin adventures, Bacchanale, Louisville Concerto, and Bostoniana. Ibert delivers quite the perfected blend of Fellini music, which makes sense since he did Compose for Films. I keep thinking of Amarcord when listening to this music!
The famous Escales (Ports of Call), which I 'may' have heard in the day, came across as the perfect melodrama unfolding, the first, 'Rome-Palerme', containing that ultra lush cinematic sweep that makes me feel like I'm in a noir in my car! The late Tropismes pour des amours imaginaires is a 25 minute peyton place drama from the '57s that is almost exactly the kind of nostalgia I like. Imagine if it had been written by Myaskovsky!
The rest of the program is complemented by Dutoit's Decca recording of the Flute Concerto and the three 'Tintin' pieces (I'm sorry, I don't mean it, don't be turned off!), which contains a piece I like as much as the Divertissement, the Symphonic suite (Paris), one of my favorites here.
Ibert's 'real' big piece (as opposed to the piece that got him famous) is his masterful Flute Concerto, and it is very nice and concise. I usually get it confused with Jolivet's equally scintillating work, but today I heard the perfect combination of Saint-Saens and Stravinsky. What do you think? Ibert has an equally, if not more, imposing Symphonie concertante for oboe, one for saxophone, and the afore mentioned, and often played (DuPre and Rostropovitch on EMI) cello concerto.
Everyone should check out the Brilliant 'Complete Chamber Music' set. It's as scattered as the Hyperion set of Poulenc's Complete Chamber Music, but just as wonderful, and even more varied. Though I find the opening 26 minute! solo harp suite thoroughly ignorable, I find myself always putting it one in the morning so I can have a clear half hour of harp music to peace out on.
Ibert's most substantial Chamber Work is the single String Quartet. I think it's perfect, evoking a breezy summer's day from the opening bar (almost like the opening to Tippett's No.2 (but not THAT good, haha!!)). The rest of the music is for all manner of combinations, including some late solo string works that are very nice to have together.
In all, Ibert emerges as the 'Seventh',... or 'Eighth',... or,... whatever,... and perfectly Invisible Man between Honegger, Roussel, Stravinsky, and Milhaud, with, I suppose, also Poulenc and Satie for good measure. Ibert is the neoclassic Stravinsky, with Honegger's cadence (though, without the bitterness and irony), and also Roussel's nautical ruggedness and the whimsy of the rest.
When I googled Ibert, the "I-Bert" kiddie stuff came up first and overwhelmingly! Perhaps people don't realize... there's a Comper... named... Ibert ;)
...anyone?...
Bueller?,...
Ibert is a composer that i love. Many times it has been called the seventh six, as it has much in common with some of these musicians and contemporary of them. He was a close friend of Honegger although their styles are different. Its marine symphony is a work that I never tire of hearing. It's a shame that no more compose symphonic music because I had a lot of talent and was a great orchestrator. Besides all works cited I would also recommend his symphonic poem " Ballad of Reading Gaol" inspired by the work of Oscar Wilde. It is a work of its first term and is a gem.
Quote from: Jean Rivier on September 10, 2012, 08:50:27 AM
Ibert is a composer that i love. Many times it has been called the seventh six, as it has much in common with some of these musicians and contemporary of them. He was a close friend of Honegger although their styles are different. Its marine symphony is a work that I never tire of hearing. It's a shame that no more compose symphonic music because I had a lot of talent and was a great orchestrator. Besides all works cited I would also recommend his symphonic poem " Ballad of Reading Gaol" inspired by the work of Oscar Wilde. It is a work of its first term and is a gem.
Ibert definitely sounds like Honegger's friend! I was just enjoying the
Ouverture de fete. Yes, Ibert has a very extrovert orchestration.
Superb disc:
[asin]B00006S1WX[/asin]
Yes, it is a highly recommended album!
In all honesty, I hear a little of the spirit of Ives in Ibert, with the Divertissement as a prime example.
Also listening to the EMI set of quirky Orchestral Works. 'Louisville Concerto' and 'Bostoniana'
Wonderful composer to listen to. The Brits used to call him affectionately "Jackie Bear".
Divertissement is very raucous and fun. I have it on Lp:
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51YBuorn3SL.jpg)
Is anyone else familiar with this disc?
[asin]B00006S1WX[/asin]
It's an excellent recording through and through. Persée et Andromède is fast becoming one of my favorite operas. It shares not only similarities in length, but also in style with Ravel's L'enfant et les sortileges. This is not the light, neoclassical Ibert of the Divertissement. This is the Ibert of the Escales-lush, sensual and glitteringly scored. The symphonic poem La Ballade de la Geôle de Reading is even more fantastic. It is a dark, impulsive work that expertly combines drama and impressionistic sensuousness. I would not hesitate to call either work a masterpiece. The brief Sarabande pour Dulcinée that rounds out this winner of a disc is a touching miniature infused with a dreamy air of sadness akin to Ravel's own Pavane. If you don't own this disc, walk, don't run, to GET IT NOW!!!!! You won't be sorry. How this disc hasn't received more press is beyond me.
Quote from: kyjo on September 27, 2013, 02:20:37 PM
Is anyone else familiar with this disc?
[asin]B00006S1WX[/asin]
It's an excellent recording through and through. Persée et Andromède is fast becoming one of my favorite operas. It shares not only similarities in length, but also in style with Ravel's L'enfant et les sortileges. This is not the light, neoclassical Ibert of the Divertissement. This is the Ibert of the Escales-lush, sensual and glitteringly scored. The symphonic poem La Ballade de la Geôle de Reading is even more fantastic. It is a dark, impulsive work that expertly combines drama and impressionistic sensuousness. I would not hesitate to call either work a masterpiece. The brief Sarabande pour Dulcinée that rounds out this winner of a disc is a touching miniature infused with a dreamy air of sadness akin to Ravel's own Pavane. If you don't own this disc, walk, don't run, to GET IT NOW!!!!! You won't be sorry. How this disc hasn't received more press is beyond me.
No one else familiar with this disc? John? Anybody?
Edit: I see Erato recommended it previously in this thread.
Kyle, I do not own that disc (yet), but do own all of the Ibert Marco Polo discs, which are very good (if memory serves me correctly). Outside of these recordings, I don't own that much Ibert. An EMI 2-CD set, Dutoit's excellent recording on Decca with the MSO, and Munch's famed performance of Escales. Will definitely investigate this recording based on your enthusiastic recommendation.
Quote from: Mirror Image on September 28, 2013, 08:13:05 PM
Kyle, I do not own that disc (yet), but do own all of the Ibert Marco Polo discs, which are very good (if memory serves me correctly). Outside of these recordings, I don't own that much Ibert. An EMI 2-CD set, Dutoit's excellent recording on Decca with the MSO, and Munch's famed performance of Escales. Will definitely investigate this recording based on your enthusiastic recommendation.
It's probably my favorite Ibert CD in my collection. Considering you're an impressionistic nut like I am, this disc would be a hit with you, I would think! Timpani is such an underrated label IMO.
Quote from: kyjo on September 28, 2013, 08:15:19 PMConsidering you're an impressionistic nut like I am, this disc would be a hit with you, I would think!
I'm sure it would be. We do tread very similar territory, but, as we both have pointed out, with many differences as well, but that's to be expected.
This is my second favorite Ibert disc:
[asin]B00000E57V[/asin]
This disc showcases all the different sides of Ibert's musical personality, from the lush, atmospheric Escales to the elegantly neo-classical Flute Concerto and the tuneful, rhythmic Bacchanale, Louisville Concerto and Bostoniana, which are more aggressive and dissonant in nature than most of Ibert's other works. The Bacchanale, especially, is a thrilling work. Dutoit and his Montreal band are, of course, in top form in this recording.
Of course, I own that disc naturally. :)
Quote from: Mirror Image on September 28, 2013, 08:29:59 PM
Of course, I own that disc naturally. :)
As do I.
Regarding the Jackie Bear reference, he was for a long time the favorite French composer in England. That is why they gave him that name. I was curious when I heard about that on the radio and wanted to hear some Jackie Bear. The first CD I got was called "French Lollipops", just as a sampler. Now I listen more to this Dutoit CD and a couple of Frenchy one.
Hey guys! ALERT!!
Listen to the Overture de fete on the EMI set. Listen around 7mins. for a very deep melody, almost Petterssonian or something, lasting about 2mins. So far the most Elgarian? Ibert I've heard. The Tropismes pour des amours imagines is also a very fine imaginary Film Music lasting 25mins. But do check out that middle section of the first piece.
Again, I'll point out Ibert's jaunty solo String Quartet, as a better place to go than the Francaix and the Tailleferre, and almost as invigorating as the Roussel.
Concertino da camera, for alto saxophone and 11 instruments
Strong composition.
Quote from: snyprrr on September 30, 2013, 11:27:58 AM
Again, I'll point out Ibert's jaunty solo String Quartet, as a better place to go than the Francaix and the Tailleferre, and almost as invigorating as the Roussel.
Very fine work, and this is a great recording of both that, the trio for violin, cello and harp, as well as several smaller pieces. All very fine!
[asin]B00ANT92J8[/asin]
I've been playing some works (Divertissement, Symphonie marine, Féerique, Escales, Suite symphonique 'Paris', Bacchanale, Concertino da camera -right now-), I've enjoyed all of them. They have lots of fun, with a mysterious touch in certain slow passages. They are uncomplicated, kind of irreverent, highly entertaining. His style is very close to Honegger (which I enjoy to some extent). So far, he has given me a very good impression.
...didn't really go for 'Escales' this time around... hmm... :(
Ibert... minor fun :-\
Quote from: snyprrr on October 08, 2017, 09:04:07 AM
...didn't really go for 'Escales' this time around... hmm... :(
Ibert... minor fun :-\
and I didn't really find the Flute Concerto the barn burner I thought I remembered- oh, that must be Jolivet! ;)
I dunno... Ibert? mm... eh... workin on it...
Quote from: SymphonicAddict on July 12, 2017, 05:40:31 PM
I've been playing some works (Divertissement, Symphonie marine, Féerique, Escales, Suite symphonique 'Paris', Bacchanale, Concertino da camera -right now-), I've enjoyed all of them. They have lots of fun, with a mysterious touch in certain slow passages. They are uncomplicated, kind of irreverent, highly entertaining. His style is very close to Honegger (which I enjoy to some extent). So far, he has given me a very good impression.
Ibert's Piano Music got short shrift as I was looking into it. It's so simple that it really takes a lot of charm to pull it off, and great sound! There are only two main exponents, one on MarcoPolo/Naxos, which I can't imagine having great sound.
However, perusing YT, I have found his PM to be quite charming, if played that way. It all reminds one of Francaix's PM, and I think Francaix might be a little more on the virtuoso side, but, if there were a perfectly presented Ibert recital, I think many would at least enjoy his style of wallpaper.
Cross-posted from the French Music Exploration thread:
Quote from: Papy Oli on September 14, 2020, 04:36:34 AM
Random maiden composer to kick off : Ibert, Jacques (1890-1962).
Had a brief sampling of those two yesterday, which sounded promising. Proper listening now.
(https://static.qobuz.com/images/covers/07/21/3377891312107_600.jpg)
Cappricio - only a 30sec sample sadly
3 pièces brèves - lovely pieces (flute, oboe, clarinet, cor, bassoon)
Cello Cto with wind orchestra - a bit too "out there" for my own taste
2 movements - quirky and fun. Quite like the interaction between the instruments (2 flutes, clarinet, bassoon)
2 Stèles orientées - voice and flute. Not my cup of tea.
5 pièces en trio - again, lovely little melodies (Oboe, clarinet bassoon)
Le jardinier de Samos - 3 nice preludes but struggled with the overture and the Air de danse
(https://static.qobuz.com/images/covers/29/22/0636943422229_600.jpg)
Bacchanale
Divertissement
Ouverture de fete
Symphonie marine
Escales
Only Divertissement and Escales are available in full on this one but on the basis of those works alone, that is indeed a very promising CD. Entertaining and varied.
Bacchanale and Ouverture de Fete are available on another Jarvi CD, I'll queue that next.
Quote from: Papy Oli on September 14, 2020, 06:34:48 AM
(https://static.qobuz.com/images/covers/29/68/0095115516829_600.jpg)
Escales
Don Quichotte: Sarabande pour Dulcinée
Ouverture de fête
Féérique
Divertissement for Chamber Orchestra
Hommage à Mozart
Suite symphonique "Paris"
Bacchanale
Quote from: Irons on September 14, 2020, 06:37:10 AM
Quite happy to kick off with Ibert, Olivier.
This evening's listening sorted.
(https://i.imgur.com/IcxS7UW.jpg)
Quote from: Papy Oli on September 14, 2020, 08:15:37 AM
That Jarvi CD above is a winner. In the Favourites it goes instead of the Naxos. Really enjoyable.
More Ibert tomorrow with his ballet music and piano music :)
Quote from: Irons on September 14, 2020, 11:48:15 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/IcxS7UW.jpg)
A mixed bag from the above two LPs. One work for me is head and shoulders above the rest which I will come to.
Ibert is rhythmic and colourful but he seems to get carried away at times with music that lacks depth. Overture de Féte, Bacchanale, Louisville, and up to a point Bostoniana came into that category. I enjoyed Escales much more, a musical picture-postcard of Rome, Tunis and Valencia, Tunis is particularly evocative. Tropismes pour des Amours imaginaires a late work and the longest of this batch is interesting and not lacking depth by any means. Worth future listening I feel.
Symphonie Marine - I am completely under it's spell, love the piece! For the life of me cannot understand why Ibert refused to let this marvellous inventive piece be performed in his lifetime! Why would a composer write his best work IMO and not allow it to be performed?
Symphonie Marine: https://youtu.be/GWS4C7qzLS0
Quote from: vandermolen on September 15, 2020, 06:40:41 AM
Enjoying 'Symphonie Marine' now. I remember the LP appearing:
It reminds me of Honegger's haunting score for the animated film 'L'Idee'.
Quote from: Papy Oli on September 15, 2020, 11:33:22 AM
i concur on Escales, Lol, really makes your mind wander away to those places. You should check out Divertissement. Maybe a slightly lighter fare too but i found it worthy. I'll recheck Symphonie Marine again tomorrow. My listening was cut short earlier today.
Quote from: aligreto on September 16, 2020, 12:37:09 AM
Well done, Olivier. You have made a great start with this thread. I am sure that it will be a popular one as, based on your list above, there is something there for everyone.
I am no expert in this field but the one piece of advice that I would strongly offer is that whatever French composer's orchestral music you are going to listen to try to get a listen to the Monteux version of it if he did one. I find him excellent in the field of French music in particular.
I see that you have already listened to Escales twice so far. I would be interested to know what you would think of the Monteux version [assuming that you like the work, of course]. It is an old recording which does show its age [get past that] but it is tremendously atmospheric, powerful and exotic and has a great presence. I am not sure if is available or not on those streaming services.
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71ARFXpX7gL._SS500_.jpg)
Quote from: aligreto on September 16, 2020, 01:09:50 AM
That should be an interesting exercise Olivier. To be honest, I also find Martinon to be very good in French music. Perhaps you had better try non French conductors ;D
I may be pushing the boat out here a little bit in terms of your musical preferences with regard to my recommendations for Ibert. I really like French music that is smaller in scale, for some reason. This, my first offering for Ibert, is a full concerto but it feels like a smaller scale work and only lasts for about nineteen minutes.
Ibert: Flute Concerto [Galway/Dutoit]
(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/R1MAAOSwzRFacr9i/s-l1600.jpg)
If you get itchy with the FF button in the first movement of this one Olivier listen to the slow movement in particular.
I find this concerto to be very buoyant, energetic and full of flair and excitement. Galway gives assertive and energetic performances in the outer movements and a soulful and atmospheric performance in the contemplative, pensive, and somewhat plaintive slow movement. The soloist in this concerto certainly earns their crust; the final movement is particularly challenging. Galway's playing was always of the highest order.
Quote from: Papy Oli on September 16, 2020, 01:27:16 AM
I just checked the shelves and I actually have this particular work in the collection already! :-[ Well, not technically mine, actually a Christmas present (a Galway boxset) to my partner (she used to play flute when she was younger) and Ibert's is in it. I'll queue that too. I did enjoy some of that boxset by the way, more than I expected to (again, the usual small chunks apply for this one, more to do with the instrument).
Also lined up for this morning, one last Ibert CD :
(https://static.qobuz.com/images/covers/05/23/3377891312305_600.jpg)
Quote from: aligreto on September 16, 2020, 01:40:14 AM
Be careful there, Olivier. Listen to the flute concertos with headphones on. You may just kindle a rejuvenation in your partner's flute playing career. ;) ;D
You could also try Ibert's Concertino da camera for Alto Saxophone and 11 instruments for an intriguing and exciting sound world. I find it very colourful and energetic with its rich and varied musical language, tones and moods. I find it very engaging music.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81klG1aF9OL._AC_SL1200_.jpg)
I find this work to be a very colourful and energetic one with its rich and varied musical language, tones and moods. I find it very exciting music.
Quote from: aligreto on September 16, 2020, 01:56:29 AM
One final recommendation for Ibert, Olivier. Once again I may be pushing your boundaries a bit but, hey, that is what this is all about. ;D
Ibert: Trois pieces breves This is another short work that I really like. It is very inventive and beguiling music and refreshingly whimsical.
(https://img.tradera.net/images/983/358186983_67c96434-4b98-49bf-8dfb-3d3cc9957ebc.jpg)
That CD is, in my opinion, indispensable for exploring French Chamber Music. I certainly recommend it to those who have not heard it yet.
Quote from: Madiel on September 16, 2020, 03:38:20 AM
Well, I'm sold on the merits of Ibert, so this thread has been worthwhile already. :laugh:
I've quite liked all the things I've tried, though the one that really caught my fancy was the opening movement of the Flute Concerto.
I'm sort of getting touches of Poulenc with a hint of Ravel, though that's partly just because I don't have that many reference points available to me. Poulenc but with a little more restraint and classicism.
EDIT: I'm finding the String Quartet very good too (chamber music is probably my favourite genre anyway).
Quote from: Iota on September 16, 2020, 10:29:56 AM
Excellent thread idea, PO! Look forward to seeing what tasty morsels emerge from it. And in honour of its inception I just listened to the Ibert flute concerto which seems rather butterfly-like in the first and last movements, with an attractive tendresse in the middle movement, which was the one I preferred.
Also listened to 3 Pieces Breves, as recommended above, again whimsical, but I felt there was a tad more Stravinskian bite and humour to the whimsy than in the concerto, which made it more interesting to me. I suspect his smaller scale works might engage me most, but may try the Symphonie Marine too.
Currently enjoying this CD ('Louisville Concerto' at the moment):
(//)