You'll note I said "many", not "all" or even "most". Actually, in this case I was thinking mostly of composers I know, rather than famous names. I don't listen to much modern music, but my friends have a tendency to force their compositions on me. Could be that my friends are just lousy composers. (Something I've thought secretly for some time, but never really wanted to tell them!)

In fact, I will take your word for it, which raises a very interesting question.

Why, do you think, this music makes you feel emotion? Is it the dynamic contrast? The twisting of familiar sounds? The reference to similar music you have heard? Do you think this music would generate the same emotions in someone hearing the style for the first time. Many current theories of emotion in music are based on expectation or reference. Does modern music create such references not to other music, but to outside sounds? Does it work on a purely evolutionary level? (Loud sounds=danger). Does it build up conflicts and resolutions using factors other than pitch?

I'm not asking you for detailed analysis, just what it is that makes YOU feel emotion. What particular sections of the music pull at your heart?

Thanks