I think the composer's time in history and life circumstances are significant. I love Haydn, his works are playful and fun (and less prissy than Mozart) but not about emotion any more than Baroque works are.
Tchaikovsky (like Mahler) certainly has emotional content which I guess is why they are popular. Other characteristics speak more to others (including me) and Beethoven, Bruckner, Sibelius and Hovaness have other strengths.
Tchaikovsky (like Mahler) certainly has emotional content which I guess is why they are popular. Other characteristics speak more to others (including me) and Beethoven, Bruckner, Sibelius and Hovaness have other strengths.