She is no longer a child prodigy. Cellist Han-Na Chang lit up Music Hall's stage with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Friday night, playing with all the musicality of a seasoned artist.

        The extraordinarily gifted high school senior, who just turned 18, joined the CSO in a concert to preview their tour performances. Perhaps because of a winter storm, the hall was only about half full for the send off to Carnegie Hall and Europe. Those who came were rewarded with a dazzling performance of Shostakovich's Cello Concerto No. 1, and a stirring reading of Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6, “Pathetique,'' conducted by Jesus Lopez-Cobos.

        Composed in 1959 just after Krushchev came to power in the Soviet Union, Shostakovich's First Cello Concerto has a gripping, almost nervous intensity. The first movement is dominated by a relentless four-note motive, which the cellist begins alone.

        She tackled it with gutsy spontaneity and utter authority — it may be no coincidence that Ms. Chang's mentor, Mstislav Rostropovich, gave this concerto its premiere.

        Ms. Chang has learned the art of beautiful singing line, but even in the lyrical passages, her sound had an edge. Projecting a big, full tone on her Guadagnini cello, she swayed as she dug into the strings.

        She brought subtle color to her phrases. The slow movement concluded with a stunning coda performed in high harmonics, and colored by touches of celesta in the orchestra.

        The cadenza — which is assigned an entire movement — was an involving display of phenomenal technique and emotional power. She plunged into the finale with bite, seeming to relish its diabolical passagework, and jumped out of her seat at the end.

        Mr. Lopez-Cobos and the orchestra supported her well, though I wished their phrases had bounced off hers with more electricity. The horn solo in the second movement was beautifully phrased by Robin Graham.

        Although the audience responded with bravos, there were no encores. Ms. Chang goes off to Harvard next year.

        Conducting without a score, Mr. Lopez-Cobos led a compelling Tchaikovky's Sixth, the last and, many think, the greatest of his symphonies.

        The playing reflected Mr. Lopez-Cobos' romantic, lyrical approach. The cellos played the 5/4 waltz with memorable refinement, and the violins had a wonderful color. Mr. Lopez-Cobos' very quick tempo of the third movement march stretched them all to the limit.

        Important contributions from orchestral musicians made this an impressive performance. Bassoonist William Winstead led into the opening theme with great feeling, and principal clarinetist Richard Hawley contributed a beautifully reflective solo in the first movement. The brass — especially the trombones — performed admirably, and timpanist Eugene Espino deserves special mention.

        Mr. Lopez-Cobos opened the program with an uneven performance of Barber's Overture to The School for Scandal.

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