Influenced by his friendship with John Cage and by New York abstract expressionist painters, Morton Feldman developed new forms of notation to suit his needs. He turned away from graphic notation to a more exact form of pitch notation, while avoiding rhythmic indications and then avoiding indications of note duration. He later returned to more formal notation, while retaining his characteristic flexibility, quietness and exploration of timbres.

Chamber Music
Feldman’s String Quartet of 1979 is the first of his so-called long pieces, typical in its use of muted instruments, soft dynamics and slowly unfolding musical structures. The extended work lasts for nearly 80 minutes.