Many of the big names in classical music came from privileged backgrounds. Others needed a helping hand. Dvorak (Slavonic Dances, New World Symphony) Just the other day, I found this:

"... the compositions of an unknown Czech composer fell into [Johannes Brahms[ hands in 1875. Fascinated by the work of the young Antonín Dvořák, who came from a small town near Prague on the banks of the Moldau, Brahms immediately had him come to Vienna and arranged for him to receive a state scholarship. For the then 36-year-old Dvořák who was eking out a meager existence as a music teacher and orchestra director at the Prague Theater, heaven had just opened forth.... "

https://web.archive.org/web/20080820143636/http://filebox.vt...