Is it normal for music to affect me so much?

No offence intended on that last part, how prejudice of me =P

I think this is normal to those who appreciate, study, or write music.
Music is well known to change moods and have a powerful conditioned psychological influence.

However, I empathise with your point of view even more, as music sometimes seems to have a physical effect with me; I often get a racing pulse and shaking hands etc. When listening intently to certain pieces, in fact, sometimes I listen to deliberately provoke the biological response, like a drug.

I'd just like to point out however, this is never a sexual thing :P
Usually just anger or excitement, a typical adrenaline response.
And i'd also like to point out I listen to extreme metal, and similar genres, so this phenomenon and level of appreciation for music can be found in all sorts of music fans, not just you tasteful, well educated types who favour classical ;P hee hee

100% normal i have that to ,just not with classical music

I think it's normal, and I'm sure that any of the artists who made that great music would probably swell with pride to hear this. That was their goal, after all.
This reminds me of a movie, in which the main character is equally as moved by music as you seem to be. If you can, check out the movie 'Mr. Jones.'

I strongly agree with u. Music affects me a lot too, I have to move my body, make faces when it comes to the one I really like or I don't truly enjoy it.

Normal all the way. I cried twice at one of the last big concerts I went to. I cry at home by myself too when I see live performances of artist that are doing what they love. I'm tearing up a little just writing about it now. Sometimes my ass starts to shake when something sounds really funky with lots of soul. I'll just start dancing, then sort of come out of a daze and realize....I'm dancing!

Metal and punk music DOES make you drive faster. It's a fact jack.

So yes, feel good about yourself in the fact that you are sensitive enough to be moved by music.

It's sad but not everyone could say the same about themselves.

Not at all. I was singing in choir today and while I was singing I started to tear up a little because it sounded so beautiful. This happens to me a lot.

Music is supposed to prompt an emotional response. So I'm with nanimeow on this one.

No, totally normal and not a bad thing! Music is emotions from the composer put into a sound representation. If you pick up on that representation and possibly feel what the composer was feeling, than they did their job correctly! One of my favorite things to do is drive and listen to musc...and I am one of those nuts who rocks out in my car.