Tim Dickinson wrote concerning Dvoraks early symphonic output:

>Unknown? If you're talking about his first 6, Dvorak's symphonies are at
>best little known.

I feel the same way toward Schubert, too.  As far as Schubert's symphonic
output in concerned, you don't hear much about his first symphonies, except
perhaps for his 5th, either.

>Symphonies #5 and 6 are perhaps Dvorak's first mature.

The sixth has that certain Brahmsian cast to it. Reminds me of Brahms 2nd.

>Dvorak has always struck me as an excellent composer for the classical
>music neophyte, in part because I first encountered his music when I
>began seriously listening to classical music and he immediately became
>a favorite.

In this sense, I think Dvorak's music is similar to Haydn in that
neither of them have that neurotic (in the sense of anxiety, despair, and
complusiveness) aspect to their music.  I find both Haydn and Dvorak to be
inherently cheerful, full of beatitude.  I was easily attracted to Dvorak's
music as a neophyte and I remain attracted to his music (but I probably
haven't progressed that much out of my neophyte stage).

Mark