Great topic.

Mathematics is a language. Music is a language. In order to really communicate, you have to be on the same frame of reference. The idea that a Westerner can understand Eastern music is only good up to a point. What can be perceived is tonal order and structure but not it's implications. For that, you gotta' study the music. It's not wholly universal.

As to physical principles in music, it's a half-truth. But what might be interpreted on an oscillicope (spelling?) as jangled might in fact be pleasing to some cultures. Many cultures hear microtones which are not physically determined by tempered scales. In fact, the octave might even be off my a micro-degree.

I think the idea of music might be universal, that is if you hear an unfamiliar or foreign music, you might perceive it as music but to say that it resonates might be an overstatement. As in language, I think you need a frame of reference to understand it.

The choice of these reference points is an interesting subject. Does it come from the language of a culture or sub-culture? Does the language come from the ability of the physical aspects of speech? Slurs and drawls? Pointed articulation? Is it in the facial structure? Singers have different facial characteristics which make the music diverse. Is it environment? Does a comfortable habitat make people sing sanguine songs? Does a harsh environment mean dissonance and if so, who interprets it as such?

I am in favor of diversity in music and not a for a perception of a commonality of acceptance without having studied it. I don't really know African or Indian music, Arabic or Turkish or Pythagorean "Lima".
That which resonates with me is based on my level of understanding at the time. Jazz never puts me to sleep because I have studied it. The same goes for the folk music I'm interested in. I don't claim to be an expert and often expertise gets in the way of enjoyment, IMHO.

Frank Hamilton