Jacques Ibert Popular Song Ranking [2026]

Wind of the RuinsJacques Ibert15rank/position

Ibert / Françoise Gobet, 1978: Le Vent Dans Les Ruines – Metropole 2599 016

Born in 1890, the French composer Jacques Ibert is known for his light, sophisticated neoclassical style.

His The Wind over the Ruins is a short piano piece with emotional depth, shaped by the experiences of World War I.

It evokes vivid visual images for the listener, expressing through music the devastation of wartime and a longing for lost peace.

With its masterful depiction of wind passing through ruins, this work can be considered a fine example showcasing Ibert’s distinctive craftsmanship.

Story, No. 1: “The Woman Who Uses the Golden Turtle”Jacques Ibert16rank/position

Jacques Ibert – Histoires (1922)

Jacques Ibert is one of the leading French composers of the 20th century.

While neoclassical in style, his music is imbued with a festive brightness and refined humor.

The first piece from his piano collection “Histoires,” The Little White Donkey? (Note: correct title for No.1 is “La meneuse de tortues d’or” – “The Woman Who Uses Golden Turtles”), possesses a fantastical, poetic imagery and evokes an Oriental atmosphere.

Composed as an attempt to depict visual images through music, it is rich with elements that stimulate the listener’s imagination.

Pleasant and immersive even for first-time listeners, this work is highly recommended for those who wish to explore Ibert’s musical world.

Story, No. 2: “The Little White Donkey”Jacques Ibert17rank/position

Ibert-The Little White Donkey

Jacques Ibert was one of the leading French composers of the 20th century.

After serving as a naval officer, he achieved remarkable success, including winning the Prix de Rome and becoming director of the national opera house.

Histoires is a suite of ten pieces published in 1922.

The second piece, The Little White Donkey, is notable for its bright character, with a texture rich in staccato that creates a lively, lighthearted atmosphere.

Combining Ibert’s signature sophistication with approachability, this work is a perfect choice when you’re in the mood for something sunny and uplifting.

Story, No. 9: “The Water-Selling Woman”Jacques Ibert18rank/position

Ibert, from “Histoires”: 9. The Woman Selling Spring Water; 10. The Parade of Balqui

Jacques Ibert, a 20th-century French composer known for his refined musicality and poetic imagery.

The ninth piece, The Water Seller, from his piano collection Histoires, depicts through sound the scene of a woman selling water in markets and on street corners.

Inspired by his travels in the Mediterranean region, the work conveys a story through its gentle, pleasant atmosphere.

Blending Ibert’s characteristically regional color with a light, impressionistic style, the piece is beloved by many piano learners.

Why not enjoy performing it while listening to its beautiful melody and imagining the scenes of the story?

Woman who uses a golden turtleJacques Ibert19rank/position

Woman Leading a Golden Turtle… (Piano) ~ Composed by Ibert ~

A French musician who served as a naval officer during World War I.

This piece is the first in the story, beginning gently and wistfully.

From the delicate piano touch, one can sense fear, tenderness, and the impression of taking slow, careful steps forward.