Not applauding between movements is a modern affectation. In Beethoven's day, you would not only applaud enthusiastically between movements but you might even "force" the musicians to play the movement again! When I started to go to classical concerts on the South Bank in the early 70s you'd regard anyone who had the temerity to clap between movements as an ignoranto and would give them the withering stare. These days, the applause is commonplace though not quite routine. That's fine by me!

The wearing of short hair and ties by men as marks of tidiness and seriousness are similar affectations, no more than twentieth century fads. So be careful as to whom you give the withering look. It may not be they who are the ignoranti!

I heartily agree about Dvorák 7, his mighty and successful attempt to get himself regarded as dwelling among the symphonic giants such as Brahms and Beethoven, but the lyricism in his 6th, 8th and 9th is also hard to beat. The versions I always come back to are the ones conducted by István Kertész in the sixties. Sadly, he died in his early forties in a drowning accident, a great loss.