Debussy and Ravel

Debussy (1862-1916) is perhaps the most famous composer from the impressionistic period in music history. He grew up poor and resided on the outskirts of Paris. He, however, did manage to gain entrance into the Paris Conservatory where he flowered as an artist and composer. He wrote a great deal of piano music that features 3-dimensional kinds of sounds and textures and layering unlike any other composer had ever managed to create. There is a story that upon Debussy's death, a friend sat down at Debussy's piano and started playing for Debussy's daughter to console her. Later, at asking her how it made her feel to have him play her late father's music, she responded simply, "daddy listened more".
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) also wrote a great deal for the piano during the course of his life. His most famous work is perhaps the Gaspard de la nuit (1908). He also, however, composed a great deal of music including the Pavone for a dead infant (1899), Jeux d'eau (1901), Sonantine and Moroirs (1905), Valses nobles (1911) and many other works. Gaspard is made up of three movements and to hear this piece requires no further explanations. There are many great recordings out there that I would recommend, my top being by former teacher, Ya-Fei Chuang, but many extraordinary recordings of this piece exist.