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Bradley Creswick brought total commitment and stunning accuracy to a demanding solo violin part that he had assimilated into his blood stream and drilled into his fingers. Whether articulating stratospheric lines of cool grace in the opening Aphrodite Terra movement, vaulting pristine motifs over primordial side drum and timpani rolls during the central Istar, or dashing off a wild Gypsy jig in the finale, his passionate involvement and virtuoso technique compelled admiration. Judging from the prodigiously inventive solo part, a series of pieces for unaccompanied violin should be commissioned from the composer.

Tutti passages, though infrequent, made a strong impression, especially the four seismic explosions percolating through the players like cosmic depth charges. The Northern Sinfonia responded enthusiastically to such poetic touches. Lighting effects were unobtrusive; the ending, however, with the players slowly eclipsed as detuned strings drooped and slid out of earshot, like paint streaking down the musical canvas, made a satisfyingly theatrical fade-out.

The conductor, Susanna Mälkki, effectively sustained the concerto's many long, measured lines, while also investing its livelier passages with an urgent, rhythmic bite. Overloaded as an "event", but providing a brilliant showcase for the talents of Bradley Creswick, Venus Blazing reaffirms Deirdre Gribbin as a charismatic and intriguing new voice in contemporary music.

6 February 2002 The Independent
Paul Conway