Founded in 2020 by sisters Bernadette and Elisabeth Pihusch, Duo Bernadel is characterized by a versatile and independent approach to the repertoire for two violins. Their repertoire encompasses works from the classical canon as well as rarely performed compositions and contemporary music. A central element of their artistic work is free improvisation, whose spontaneous musical dialogues inspired composer Karim Zech to create a composition specifically for the duo. Both musicians are also active as musical ambassadors of the Yehudi Menuhin Foundation Live Music Now.

The duo gained international recognition by winning First Prize at the London Classical Music Competition as well as First Prize in the Chamber Music category at the International Kreutzer Competition in Ghent, Belgium, in 2024.

Duo Bernadel regularly performs at renowned concert series and festivals in Germany, Austria, Italy, Belgium and Switzerland. Their concert venues and presenters include the Mozarteum Salzburg, the Bad Reichenhall Philharmonic Orchestra, the aspekteSALZBURG Festival and the concert series Young Excellence in Concert. Further appearances have taken them to venues such as the Maximilianeum in Munich, the Munich Residenz and the Federal Chancellery in Vienna. As part of a collaboration with the International Mozarteum Foundation, the two violinists had the opportunity to perform on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s original concert violin.

Bernadette Pihusch studies at the Mozarteum University Salzburg and has been supported for several years through its programme for highly gifted young musicians. Elisabeth Pihusch completed her studies at the Mozarteum University Salzburg and has continued her education since 2025 at the Hamburg University of Music and Theatre in the class of Prof. Tanja Becker-Bender.

Both musicians received important artistic impulses through masterclasses with Julia Fischer, Andreas Janke, Barbara Doll, Zohrab Tadevosyan, Zakhar Bron, Ana Chumachenco, Ulf Wallin, Nora Chastain and David Frühwirth.

Duo Bernadel combines stylistic versatility, chamber music precision and a continuous exploration of new artistic perspectives. At the heart of their work are musical dialogue, a finely balanced shared sound and the expansion of the repertoire for two violins.

• 1st Prize — London Classical Music Competition 2024
• 1st Prize — International Kreutzer Competition 2024
• aspekteSALZBURG Special Award for Outstanding Interpretation of Contemporary Music