Mental Training
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I recognise this in the musical world. A young musician wins a competition, receives congratulations and gains new opportunities. Yet before the next performance, satisfaction may give way to a question: can I prove that I deserved it? An orchestral player may feel something similar after years of being trusted to deliver. Their ambition may have little to do with outplaying colleagues, but they can still feel obliged to meet their highest standard every time. In both cases,

In the world of classical music, another major competition is approaching. This October, young violinists from around the world will gather in Poznań for the 17th Henryk Wieniawski International Violin Competition — one of the most prestigious events in the classical music world. For the musicians taking part, months — and in many cases years — of preparation have already gone into this moment. The repertoire has been chosen, difficult passages have been practised, technical

I haven't had a proper week off in ten years." When my friend said those words, I honestly thought I had misheard her. Ten years? It seemed impossible. I asked why, expecting to hear about an impossibly busy concert schedule, endless travelling or another season filled with performances. Instead, she smiled and quietly replied, "I'm afraid." Afraid of what? Of losing her discipline. Of coming back and discovering she couldn't play at the same level. Of breaking a routine s

One of the greatest fears musicians carry onto the stage is not criticism, a bad review, or even a wrong note. It is the fear of forgetting. The fear of a memory slip can be so powerful that many musicians begin worrying about it weeks or even months before an important audition, competition, or recital.

Today I know that this fear is normal. We all feel it. But here is the difficult truth: you can be prepared, you can play at the highest level — and still not win. If your mind does not know what comes after success, it will try to protect you from it. It will distract you, create tension, and interrupt what you already know how to do.