My youngest brother would agree with you. He tried to turn me on to Ives when he was attending the NE Conservatory but I'm afraid it was a lost cause. My plebian ears still insist on some sort of recognizable tune.
I guess I'm just a Romantic gal.
His tunes are romantic and completely recognizable if one learns how to listen.
It requires a special kind of attention span, not just hearing.
It’s just like reading a book by Joyce. Dense and complex. Keep trying.