We’ve always been inspired by the music of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. After all, what’s not to like about Ravel’s Gaspard de la Nuit or Debussy’s L’Isle Joyeux or Reflets dans L’eau. Or the lesser-known Debussy masterpieces like the Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp and Rhapsody for Clarinet and Piano.

But what about the late Federico Mompou? We recently discovered this wonderful Spanish composer, best known for his miniaturist, solo piano works. His principal influences were French impressionism and the music of Erik Satie and Gabriel Faure. Mompou’s Scenes d’Enfants once inspired French critics to proclaim him “the only disciple and successor to Debussy.” Other piano works by Mompou include Impresiones Intimas (intimate impressions), Paisages (landscapes) and Musica Callada (silent music… or voices of silence).

Typically intimate, lyrical, reflective and, at times, melancholic, his music has been recorded by notable pianists, including Arthur Rubenstein, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Alicia de Laroccha and, more recently, Steven Hough. Recordings are available through Amazon and other sources.