yes, I think you are right about that in general , although I'm not sure* whether that applies to Lou Harrison's works.
*Genuine expression of uncertainty, as opposed to polite expression of disagreement.
Anyway, I'm think about what you've said just now in connection with the collection of "music that doesn't suck'" YouTubes that you recently sent me. I was interested to see that as well as some Chinese music such as the Black Kirin song that uses the same musical language that westerners employ, you also included Chinese music that most westerners (including this one!) find challenging in its unfamiliarity - for example, the Kunqu opera extract.
Did you listen to this latter kind of music when you were growing up? Or have you only come to understand and appreciate it since you moved to China?