At first, he only thought about looking more within his home country.
But as he pondered over learning different kinds of music, he realized that even though he had been abroad for so long, he was actually confined to the big world of music.
That is why he came to the decision that once he is done in this country. Or maybe after he graduates from university, he will start touring the world more.
Not just the widely known places but more of them.
"It will be a long journey then," Kathrine said.
"Yeah, but it will surely be fulfilling," he replied.
Kathrine shrugged, "Good luck with that."
…
"This is…"
Justin looked at Lucius when he handed him some documents.
"As you can see in there, a competition."
Justin looked at the papers again.
'Yehudi Menuhin International Competition for Young Violinists'.
Few stages in the world can truly transform a violinist's life.
Among them, five competitions stand above the rest, fierce, storied, and legendary in classical music.
Each one is not merely a contest but a journey through pressure, artistry, and history.
For those who dream of international recognition, these competitions are the milestones they hope to reach. Each carries its own atmosphere, culture, and set of challenges.
The most renowned of them all is the International Tchaikovsky Competition, held in Russia.
Since its founding in 1958, it has been seen as the pinnacle of classical performance, a place where legends are born.
The competition is held every four years, and for violinists, it demands more than just flawless playing. Participants must perform multiple rounds of solo, chamber, and orchestral works, often including Russian masterpieces by composers such as Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich.
The pressure is immense. Judges are strict, and the weight of history fills the concert halls of Moscow and St. Petersburg. Winning this competition is not just an award, it is a global calling card, one that can launch a career overnight.
Equally demanding, yet entirely unique in its approach, is the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Belgium.
Founded in 1937 and named after Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, this competition is infamous for one specific element, the final round.
There, the finalists are sequestered, completely isolated from the outside world, and handed an original, never-before-seen piece of music. They have one week to learn and master it with no help, no phone, no internet.
It is a trial by fire.
Only the most prepared, the most calm, and the most focused musicians can endure it. And yet, those who emerge from that final performance often carry with them a new level of respect from the classical world.
The Queen Elisabeth Competition isn't only about playing, it's about adaptability, memory, and courage under pressure.
Then there is the Yehudi Menuhin Competition, which travels from country to country every two years and is often referred to as "The Olympics of the Violin" for young performers.
This competition is unlike the others in one key way, it's focused on youth.
Founded in 1983 by the great violinist Yehudi Menuhin, the competition is open to violinists under the age of twenty-two and is split into junior and senior divisions.
Despite the age bracket, the level of playing is often astonishing. Many young prodigies first gain international attention here, dazzling audiences with a depth of interpretation far beyond their years. It is a place where the future of classical music takes its first confident steps onto the world stage.
Moving to Eastern Europe, the Henryk Wieniawski Violin Competition in Poland holds the honor of being one of the oldest violin competitions in the world.
First established in 1935, it is held every five years in the historic city of Poznań and named after Henryk Wieniawski, the Polish violin virtuoso and composer.
The repertoire is demanding, with an emphasis on romantic and technically brilliant works. Wieniawski's own pieces, full of fireworks and emotional flourish, are often required in performance. This competition favors expressive and charismatic playing.
Those who win are usually violinists who can balance passion with control, elegance with raw intensity.
Finally, in the United States, the Indianapolis International Violin Competition offers a blend of tradition and opportunity.
While it may be younger than the others, it is no less prestigious.
Held every four years in Indiana, this competition is well known for its generous prizes, which often include large sums of money, career development support, and something rare, a fine instrument on loan, sometimes even a Stradivarius or Guarneri del Gesù.
This can open doors that no prize money ever could. The competition is intense, with multiple rounds and diverse repertoire, and the winners are often thrust into international tours and high-profile engagements.
It is a competition that prepares violinists not just for the stage, but for the life of a touring soloist.
"It just so happens that it will be held around April next year in Vienna," Lucius said.
Justin blinked.
He somehow could understand what his teacher was saying but at the same time, he could not.
Seeing his look, Lucius sighed.
"You will be 21 years old next year. The next competition will be held two years after that competition, and you will be 23 then, no longer eligible for the competition."
"You want me to join this competition?" Justin finally found his voice and asked.
"I will allow you to learn as much as you can on your own for the six months that I am not around. Then I will drill in you everything I can in preparation for that competition."
"But… I just lost-"
The moment the word lost left his lips, Lucius raised an eyebrow, causing him to abruptly stop.