Jacques François Antoine Marie Ibert (Aug. 15, 1890 - Feb. 5, 1962) was a French composer, born in Paris. His father a businessman, and mother a talented pianist, young Ibert was encouraged in his musical journeys. He started piano and violin at age four, and entered the Paris Conservatory in 1910. His studies were interrupted by World War I, where he was a naval officer, but he resumed his studies later on, and won the famous Prix de Rome on his first attempt in 1919. 

Ibert is known to have said in regards to compositional schools, that "all systems are valid", and as a result, his music is known as eclectic.  He's written works that seem frivolous and light-hearted, as well as serious compositions.  Noël en Picardie is for solo piano, and was written in December 1914, during his time in the military. It was dedicated De Lagoanère, music director at the Théâtre Lyrique de la Gafté in Paris. On the original score was the description of this piece: "It is not a Christmas of fleecy snow, with a clear sky, icy, shining with stars, but a misty Christmas on a dark night. Little soldier, hearing in your trench the distant sound of the bells, do not be sad! A Christmas will sound out one night with all the bells, proclaiming the glory of Victory and the joy of returning home!"

The piece starts of calmly, and mysteriously, and slowly over several minutes, opens up. The chiming bell like motif continues throughout the first part of the work, and then things turn calm again, and at the end that bell motif returns in a major key, and like the words stated, "proclaiming the Victory and the joy of returning home!"

Sadly we can't find a recording for this wonderful work, but we hope that changes soon!