Jacques Ibert was born in Paris in 1890. Although his father showed little interest in music, his mother was an accomplished pianist who studied with professors at the Paris Conservatory. Ibert learned to play the violin at an early age and also took piano lessons. When Ibert decided to devote himself to composition, he found that he had to earn a living by giving lessons, writing program notes, and becoming a cinema pianist. He attended the Paris Conservatory from 1911 to 1919; here he studied under Gabriel Faure. Ibert won the Prix de Rome with his cantata Le Poete et la Fee in 1919. During his career he held posts as Director of the Academie de France in Rome, Assistant Director of the Paris opera, and Director of the combined management of the Paris Opera and the Opera-Comique.

“Ibert’s music combines the Impressionist techniques of Debussy and Ravel, with the Neo-classicism of Stravinsky and Le Six, producing works marked by clarity grace and wit.” [Joseph Way, Sierra Chamber Society]

Scored for the classical wind quintet, Trois Pièces Brèves (Three Short Pieces) is just that. The first movement, Allegro, has a lively skipping feel which contrasts between light and delicate sections and a heavier feel. The second movement, Andante, is a slow and beautiful duet between the flute and the clarinet with only a short statement made at the end by the other three instruments. The third movement begins with a slow motive that hints towards a brass fanfare with the melodic interjections of the horn and bassoon. The movement then changes mood when the clarinet takes over with a lively melody. The piece ends with a somewhat raucous cadence and surprising cadence that completes the intentions of three short yet sparkling pieces.