At the start, violinists are really energetic, striving enthusiastically to showcase French composer (6)
I believe the answer is:
varese
'composer' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'at the start violinists are really energetic striving enthusiastically' is the wordplay.
'at the start' suggests taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'violinists are really energetic striving enthusiastically' is 'VARESE'.
'to showcase french' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for varese that I've seen before include "Italian city" , "European compser" , "Dissonant composer" , "Edgar --, composer" .)