"Completely dedicated, with strong expression and lively played accents… Very impetuous, following the drama of the piece, technically perfect… They presented a fresh, full of joy Beethoven, able to emit a positive power.”
— Der neue Merker
The beginning…
Andrea Nikolic and Stipe Bilic started their collaboration in 2016. Although they both have Croatian roots and have studied in Zagreb beforehand, their paths crossed in Austria at the University for Music and Performing Arts Graz. Refining their skills with Andrej Bielow and Milana Chernyavska respectively, they built up a very diverse and rich repertoire, playing enthusiastically some of the greatest classics, as well as new works written for violin/viola - piano ensemble.
Years together…
Collaboration of the two artists grew successfully. Just in season 2016/2017 they had concert engagements in Austria, Poland, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, to a great critical acclaim and wonderful reception of the audience. After a recital in Banja Luka Portalkultura wrote: “Two wonderful, young but already great musical names. A holiday for ears!” Croatian Society of Music Artists praised their recital in Lisinski Hall being “prepared with dedication and seriousness, leaving nothing to chance.” Their Viennese concerts received significant media attention with wonderful reviews being published in Der neue Merker. Dedicating their time to perform and present interesting concepts and programmes, Nikolic Bilic Duo developed and found their own language of musical expression.
Current projects…
Working together in various other formations over the years through WISE and VaClaF projects, as well creating individually, many ideas started coming to fruition.
In 2020 they recorded several online concerts and festivals, played at Rijeka 2020 European Capital of Culture and prepared the full Beethoven Sonatas Cycle for recording and a tour.
In seasons 2021/2022 they continued creating despite the pandemic and had tremendous successes with the CRO-ArT Festival and significant soloist performances internationally.
2023 created new opportunities, which began with the sold out Birthday Concert in February, then continued with recitals, festivals and a month long tour of China, with great success.
In 2024 further international performances worldwide await, as the duo is preparing CD recordings with new works written for them, for violin/viola and piano, combined with some of their favourite pieces, presented in an original programatic concept.
