In the mixer start by giving the viola an +6-8 point volume increase, then switch the VST of the second violin to the first violin VST. Then increase the first violin by +1 and reduce the second to -1. The cello may not need any changes but in some pieces it's beneficial to bump it as far as +4. With this kind of Mixer profile you will have naturally balanced playback and can use the same dynamics on each instrument for equal sounding volume. Use hidden tenutos when there's playback artifacts like in V1 bar 1. Use hidden accents or dynamic bumbs when shorter notes don't sound over the other instruments.

I’m not the best at writing for strings, but I think some pizzicato would add some interest to the entire piece. Maybe also a few tremolos leading up to the climax? Currently it’s very, very, very pretty, but a lot of it is just held chords, and some diversity could make it more interesting. I don’t know the rules, but also a few solos could be cool (maybe the violin and the fellow having a melodic conversation of something?). The playback sounds great btw

The audio is bad how? I gave a few listens (once while actively following the score) and it sounds fine to me. I did notice that on measure 6, you had a crescendo from pianissimo to mezzo-pianissimo, when the last dynamic was a pianissimo, which I doubt made any difference in the playback at measure 6. If it's the bowing midway with longer notes such as the whole note on measure 30, then I'm afraid there's not too much I could suggest. One way I could think of to fix would be to bring the dynamics down one time, (mp becomes p, p becomes pp, ff becomes f, etc.) so that the playback doesn't bow so much. Another is that you could try switching from the violin 1 to the violin 2, which I've heard has less vibrato and might be the sound you're looking for. No guarantees. Optional though if you wanted, you could pan the 2nd violin to the left, 1st violin a bit closer to the middle, cello in the center, and the viola at the right. And then adjust the volume so the sound is evenly spread out for the entire piece overall. In other words, slight imbalances are alright, but should also counter-balance itself if that makes any sense. I enjoyed the Elegie by the way, I could almost connect with it emotionally. Anyways, I hope this helps. Best on your competition.

What happens if you like your own video? Is that like a thing or does KZfaq just ignore it?