Ibert, Jacques - Histoires
This short collection of minatures is light, descriptive and is crafted quite cleverly by Ibert. The 'Stories' are original for piano and were relatively popular. Bajo la mesa (Under the table), as the title suggests has an Hispanic flavour, only the castanets are absent. Le Cage de Cristal has a cheerful, flowing optimism alongside moments of hesitating contemplation. La palais abandonne is the most programmatic and isn't worlds away from Mussorgsky's 'The Old Castle', both pieces have a regal yet melancholy mood. Le petit ane blanc (The Little White Donkey) is a dainty, quirky and humorous narrative with a slightly cantankerous ass at its core. Care must be taken in this movement not to race: the beast is no mighty stead. Le vieux mendiant (The Old Beggar) is perhaps the most serious piece in the collection, describing with quite searching pathos the experience of homelesness for the elderly. In fact this movement is so moving that it almost seems an ill-fit for this collection which is otherwise reasonably light-hearted.
1. La meneuse de tortures d’or (The golden Turtles leader)
2. Le petit âne blanc (The little white donkey)
3. Le vieux mendicant (The old beggar)
4. “A Giddy girl”
5. Dans la maison triste (In the sad house)
6. Le palais abandonné (The abandoned palace)
7. Bajo la mesa (Under the table)
8. La cage de cristal (The crystal cage)
9. La marchande d’eau fraiche (The fresh water merchant)
10. Le cortège de Balkis (Balkis’ march)
1. La meneuse de tortures d’or (The golden Turtles leader)
2. Le petit âne blanc (The little white donkey)
3. Le vieux mendicant (The old beggar)
4. “A Giddy girl”
5. Dans la maison triste (In the sad house)
6. Le palais abandonné (The abandoned palace)
7. Bajo la mesa (Under the table)
8. La cage de cristal (The crystal cage)
9. La marchande d’eau fraiche (The fresh water merchant)
10. Le cortège de Balkis (Balkis’ march)