[zoul]

It doesn’t make much sense to “try Feldman” by listening to excerpts, you have to experience the whole piece if possible. The process of trying to find some meaning in the music and the eventual point of giving up and just accepting it is very interesting. At least that’s my point of view after listening to a live concert of Feldman’s For John Cage (70 minutes).

[ivancdg]

In my experience it is highly impractical to expect someone to try anything for 70 minutes before deciding if they like it. Some kind of step-wise introduction is more helpful.

It's not easy with Feldman, but I am convinced it is possible.

Here is a 2 minute excerpt of "Palais de Mari" from 1986 (for solo piano) that may help people decide whether they want to hear more: http://ivancdg.com/music/1.mp3

People have told me that this reminds them of Debussy (the Prélude "Footprints in the Snow", specifically).

[DenisM]

Not sure about Debussy, but this clip you posted reminds me of Für Alina by Arvo Pärt, 1976.

[mgunes]

While that is true, Feldman did encourage people to walk out, do their daily chores, have some fresh air etc. and come back in if they wanted to, in the brief introduction speeches to some of the performances of his longer (5+ hour) pieces.