"... superb, everyone thoroughly enjoyed their programme, were overwhelmed by their musicianship, appreciated their really clear, easily audible, interesting introductions to the pieces and commented on their lovely, warm personalities. Fabulous! "
Eilidh Klemm, Strathearn Music Society, 16 September 2026
"The concert was fantastic!"
Alastair Jack, Treasurer, Strathearn Music Society, 16/09/26
"a simply fantastic afternoon recital... the afternoon’s music-making was full of character and atmosphere, as well as quite remarkable virtuosity. The quality of playing was highly impressive, and all the arrangements worked beautifully, with most of the repertoire being played by memory – and with complete assurance... the large audience appeared fascinated throughout... Bach’s D minor Toccata & Fugue for organ played so successfully on a solo accordion... simply breathtaking! ... the enthusiastic applause demanded an encore.... a thrilling, and very memorable performance.... each item was presented very professionally by the performers... a highly successful afternoon."
Cowal Music Club: 23/02/25
"What a joy and delight it was to listen to Andrea and Djordje Gajic’s musical performance in the warmth and grandeur of the Fratry, in Carlisle Cathedral on a freezing cold January evening. We were treated to crowd pleasing popular pieces and some less familiar music, all so cleverly arranged for the unusual combination of violin and accordion. Djordje’s skilful arrangements showed off the qualities of both the violin and accordion, and the couple’s extraordinarily accomplished virtuoso and evocative playing made for a special and memorable concert. Andrea made an exquisite sound with her Italian Galliano violin, accompanied by gentle and soft tones from the accordion. If we had thought that the accordion was an instrument only for the fairground and ceilidh dancing, Djordje’s arrangements and playing demonstrated otherwise. He explained that he wanted to play Bach’s Organ Toccata and Fugue in D minor as it lent itself so well to the acoustic of the Fratry. In arranging this he had tricked his accordion to sound like an organ and indeed, the
audience too were tricked into thinking, surely this sound is coming from an organ.
The second half had a Spanish theme and included Andrea playing one of the technically hardest pieces in the violin repertoire, Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy. They made the audience feel they were performing especially for us, treated us to an encore of a charming Hungarian dance to send us into the cold night and stayed and greeted every audience member before leaving, despite needing to travel back to Glasgow that night."
Sarah Wilson, Carlisle, 21/01/24
"What a brilliant concert last night by AdLibitum. Lots of very favourable audience comments and smiling faces. Andrea and Djordje are splendid musicians and born communicators and a delightful couple."
Eeke van Gulik Carlisle Music Society, January 2024
"The ADlibitum concert was astonishing. From the first few notes we knew we were in the company of two amazing musicians. The programme was diverse, but they held our hand throughout. There were no highs and lows, it was a constant high.
Those of us lucky enough to have been there, will never forget it."
Newton Stewart and District Music Society, April 2023
"a wonderful concert on Sunday - Andrea and Djordje were brilliant… such a wonderful mix of different types of music played brilliantly."
Dollar Music Society, February 2023
"a wonderful evening. The concert was spellbindingly terrific."
Music Arran, February 2022
"It was a great concert! Andrea and Djordje are lovely. Excellent communication with the audience. We have had lots of emails today telling us how much people enjoyed the concert. Nothing but positive feedback on the programme content, the musicianship and the atmosphere created. Everyone was delighted to be listening to live music again. A great time was had by all and it was a marvellous opening to our concert season."
Music in West Kilbride, October 2021
"They were really wonderful. Two astonishing virtuosi whose playing together was masterly and their introductory chat an informative delight. They were also delightful people who appeared genuinely to enjoy the occasion..... everyone agreed that it had been highly enjoyable and an evening to remember. "
Skye Chamber Music, November 2015
"The concert was so splendid that it was a reviewer's dream. Both performers were superb soloists, but they also worked perfectly as a duo. .....the atmosphere was created by the virtuosic violin playing, and the accordion accompaniments, which dazzled."
Sunday 5th May 2013, The Orcadian
"dazzling ... privileged to attend... Andrea made her instrument talk in so many languages and moods that a member of the audience, at the interval said, '…..I have not been so close to such violin virtuosity and witnessed a range of bowing techniques used in one performance. Her control of the bow was truly astonishing…..' Djordje displayed depth and intensity of feeling with his accordion playing - never dominating but full of passion, brilliance and supreme intelligence that illustrated his fantastic talent.
Both performers were superb soloists in their own right but they also worked perfectly as a duo, as was evident by their interpretation of Brahm's Hungarian Dances Nos 1 & 2, Massenet's 'Méditation', Arvo Pärt's evocative 'Fratres', Sarasate's 'Carmen Fantasy' and of course, Piazzolla's 'Le Grand Tango' which ended what was a consummate afternoon's performance.... nothing short of perfection.
Overheard as the audience left , '... breathtaking'"
Cowal Music Club, October 2015
"We had an absolutely wonderful afternoon - our almost sold-out audience left buzzing with amazement and pleasure. They really are the most fantastic musicians. Please pass on our heartfelt thanks and awe."
Penicuik Community Arts Association, November 2023
ADlibitum / violin/accordion duo
Please contact daisy@classicalmusiciansscotland.com for further information or to book ADlibitum.
Andrea and Djordje Gajic make up the exciting violin/accordion duo, ADlibitum. Both extremely proficient artists in their own solo careers, together they perform an exciting repertoire and have given concerts in Scotland, England, Serbia, and at the Victoria International Arts Festival in Gozo, Malta. In March 2018 ADlibitum performed with double bassist Nikita Naumov in Rostov, and they are regular performers at the Victoria International Arts Festival in Gozo.
Violinist Andrea Gajic received her early musical training at St Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh. When she was twelve, she performed the Bruch Scottish Fantasy at St James’ Palace, London for Yehudi Menuhin’s 70th Birthday celebration. Two years later, she was invited by Sylvia Rosenberg to study at the Peabody Institute, Baltimore USA, where she won first prize at the American String Teachers’ Association Violin Competition. From 1990, Andrea studied for five years at the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music in Moscow with Khalida Akhtiamova where she gained her Masters Degree and Diploma in Solo Performance, before continuing her post-graduate studies with Felix Andrievsky at The Royal College of Music in London. Throughout her studies, Andrea received generous financial assistance, being the youngest recipient of The Scottish International Education Trust and also receiving awards from The Martin Trust and Sir James Caird Travelling Scholarships.
Andrea has performed as a soloist and chamber ensemble player in Britain, United States, Russia, Lithuania, Finland, Germany, Australia, Yugoslavia and France, and she has been invited to give recitals and Masterclasses in Serbia, at the Victoria International Arts Festival, Gozo, at Dartington International Music Festival, and at the Menstrelle International Chamber Music Academy, St Petersburg.
She enjoys performing regularly with husband Djordje Gajic on classical accordion as duo Adlibitum. She has also led the Fibonacci Sequence chamber ensemble at the Conway Hall in London and worked with the Research Ensemble, which resulted in a number of contemporary music performances including birthday celebrations for Sir Peter Maxwell Davies and James MacMillan. In April 2013 she gave a recital of Beethoven Sonatas in the Max-Joseph-Saal at the Munich Residenz with pianist Michael Leslie.
For radio, she has recorded for BBC Radio, Bavarian Radio, Lithuanian Radio, Yugoslavian Radio and Radio Baltimore. On television, she has appeared on BBC, STV, ITV, and on Russian and Yugoslavian stations. CD releases include a recording of Beethoven’s Theme and Variations Op 107, performed with Michael Leslie, Thomas Rugge and Michael Shopper for Bavarian Radio and released by Büchergilde Gutenberg. In addition to her numerous performing commitments, Andrea is a dedicated teacher. International pop star, Madonna, studied with Andrea for several months before pulling out of Wes Craven’s Hollywood film “50 Violins,” also known as “Music of the Heart,” which eventually starred Meryl Streep. Andrea was also invited to be the strings advisor for the film.
Currently Andrea teaches violin at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow where she was made Professor in 2018, and this year looks forward to joining the string faculty at the Royal Northern College of Music. She has given classes and workshops for the European String Teachers’ Association, University of Music and Performing Arts (Graz), Rostov State Conservatory (Russia), Sydney Conservatorium (Australia), Sabac Music School (Serbia), Kragujevac Music School (Serbia), Victoria International Arts Festival (Malta), University of Delaware (USA), Peabody Conservatory (USA) Komitas State Conservatory (Armenia) and the Benedetti Foundation. Since 2014, she has been course leader for the String Summer Course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, which attracts students from all round the world.
Andrea has performed at a number of international festivals throughout Europe and USA. Her most recent concerto performances include performances of the Sibelius Violin Concerto, Barber Violin Concerto, Brahms Violin Concerto. She is also a regular performer with the Malta Philharmonic at the closing concerts of Victoria International Arts Festival, Gozo having performed Brahms’ Violin Concerto, the Sibelius Concerto, and more recently in July 2022, Beethoven’s Concerto in D major.
She was a major contributor to the COP26 concert ‘Vital Signs of the Plant’ held in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall in November 2021, where she played excerpts from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with the RCS chamber orchestra, and recently she was interviewed by the Strad magazine. She was also honoured with a Professorship at the RCS and in August 2023 was promoted to Head of Strings.
Recently Nicola Benedetti has restarted sporadic lessons with Andrea to help regain confidence after a wrist injury that forced her to pull out of a residency last summer at the Aldeburgh Festival.
Andrea plays on a violin made by Nicolaus Gagliano in 1766.
Djordje Gajic began his musical studies in Serbia at the age of six, finally graduating from the Russian Academy of Music in 1993 with a Master of Music degree and the Honorary Title of Solo Performer. He continued his post-graduate studies at the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music and was appointed Assistant to Professor Yuri Dranga.
Djordje has won first prize in International Accordion Competitions in Pescara, Stresa, Camalo (Italy), Soko Bana (Serbia), St Étienne (France) and at the CMA World Championship in Fontainebleu (France). He has also been awarded second prize in equally prestigious competitions held in Klingental (Germany) and Cheraparvetz (Russia). He has also received many awards of outstanding merit leading to television and radio broadcasts for the BBC, RTS Serbia, RTR Russia and RAI Italy.
Djordje has performed with several acclaimed orchestras and ensembles including the Russian State Symphony Orchestra (under the baton of Yvgeny Svetlanov), Royal Scottish National Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra (BBC Proms, London), the Fibonacci Sequence Ensemble, Locrian Ensemble, Research Ensemble, Hebrides Ensemble, et al. He is a prolific recitalist throughout Europe (Andorra, Holland, France, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Italy, Malta, Norway and Britain) and also in USA, Australia, China, Russia, Bahrain and Tunisia.
In August 2018, Djordje was invited to be on the panel for Harbin’s International Music Festival, China. Most recent engagements were touring with Opera North and solo recitals in the USA.
Djordje is an accordion tutor at the RCS, Douglas Academy and St Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh. In October 2024, he was awarded a Professorship at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Performances
7.30pm, Saturday 14 November 2026: Wakefield Concert Society
7.30pm, Friday 27 November 2026: Music Arran, Lamlash Community Hub
1 – 2pm, Tuesday 13 April 2027: Northesk Church (Brunton) Musselburgh
3pm, Monday 19 April 2027: Ross Priory, Gartocharn…. (for tickets please contact daisy@classicalmusiciansscotland.com)
Comfortable Unknown, Nicholas Olsen
Performances past
7.30pm, Wednesday 16 September 2026: Strathearn Music Society, St Andrew’s Hall, Crieff
3pm, Sunday 15 February 2026: Music in Dumfries (48 hours’ notice)
7.30pm, Friday 19 September 2025: Ripon International Festival, St Andrew’s Church, Kirkby Malzeard
3pm, Sunday 27 April 2025: Wycliff St Mary’s
2pm, Friday 6 June 2025: Ross Priory (private event)
7.30pm, Friday 14 March 2025: Millennium Centre, Stranraer (education workshop 1 – 2:15pm Ryan Centre)
2.30pm, Sunday 23 February 2025: Dunoon Burgh Hall
7pm, Thursday 19 September 2024: Thirsk
7 pm, Thursday 18 January 2024, Fratry Hall, Carlisle Cathedral
1 – 2pm, Wednesday 6 December 2023, Westbourne Music Society, Glasgow Art Club
3pm, Sunday 26 November 2023, Penicuik Community Arts Association
3pm, Sunday 19 November 2023, Music in Aberfoyle
Wednesday 9 August 2023, Kirkharle
Sunday 23 April 2023, Newton Stewart and District Music Club
Sunday 26 February 2023, Haddington Concert Society
Sunday 29 February 2023, Music in Dollar
Tuesday 6 December 2022, The Brunton, Musselburgh
Saturday 19 March 2022, Music Arran
Thursday 3 March 2022, Ross Priory
Friday 22 October 2021, West Kilbride
Saturday 16 October 2021, Spire concert series, Glasgow
Wednesday 28 April 2021, Strathearn Music Society
Saturday 23 November 2019, with double bassist Nikita Naumov, Spire concert series, Glasgow
Sunday 3 November 2019, Pollok House Arts Society
Friday 27 September 2019, Order of st John Soirée, Ross Priory
Saturday 30 March 2019, Spire concert series, Glasgow
Friday 23 November 2018, West Coast Arts, Poolewe
Sunday 4 November 2018, Penicuik Community Arts Association
Saturday 21 April 2018, Sphere concerts
Tuesday 18 April 2017, Tuneful Tuesdays concert series, Royal Faculty of Procurators Glasgow
Friday 14 April 2017, West Kilbride
Sunday 5 February 2017, Gatehouse of Fleet
Friday 27 January 2017, Catstrand
Saturday 16 August 2016, St Conan’s, Loch Awe
Wednesday 8 June 2016, Ross Priory
Saturday 6 April 2016, Clydebank
Saturday 2 April 2016, Sphere concert series
Saturday 5 March 2016, Ayr Music Cub
Monday 16 November 2015, Portree, Skye
Sunday 25 October 2015, Cowal Music Club
Friday 31 October 2014, Ross Priory
Tuesday 14 October 2014, Lockerbie Music Society
Friday 10 October 2014, Balerno Music Festival
Saturday 16 August 2014, Edinburgh Fringe
Friday 4 April 2014, Sphere concert series
