NEW YORK — Despite a snowstorm that dumped more than a half foot of snow in New York early on Sunday, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra's annual concert in Carnegie Hall on Monday came off without a hitch.

        The legendary hall seating 2,804 was almost full for the farewell Carnegie Hall concert of Jesus Lopez-Cobos, who, in his final season as music director, led his 14th performance there with the CSO.

Lopez-Cobos

        The program's second half, especially, had an air of nostalgia about it, because Mr. Lopez-Cobos conducted one of his signature works, Falla's The Three-Cornered Hat, a piece the orchestra will take on tour Saturday to Europe. But it was the encore, Falla's Dance from La Vida Breve, that galvanized the musicians into their most spontaneous performance of the evening and swept the New Yorkers onto their feet for a lengthy standing ovation.

        The order of the program was unusual, opening with Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6, “Pathetique.” The glowing acoustics of Carnegie Hall enhanced the string sound, and the musicians played with passion. The winds were superb, with nuanced contributions from bassoonist William Winstead and principal clarinetist Richard Hawley. In this glorious space, the brass sounded warm and unforced.

        Mr. Lopez-Cobos opened with an exceedingly slow Adagio, and used rubatos liberally. The 5/4 waltz was rich and attractively played. The very brisk third movement march was highlighted by spectacular playing by the brass, and the finale was deeply felt.

        Cellist Han-Na Chang, 18, who will accompany the CSO on tour, was the soloist in Shostakovich's Concerto No. 1, performed after intermission. As in Cincinnati, she played with compelling intensity and involvement, dispatching the work's formidable demands with uncanny virtuosity.

        The slow movement was stunning for the poignant mood she created, with her beautiful singing line and big rich tone. In this acoustic, the pinpoint precision of her high harmonics was truly impressive.

        Ms. Chang paced herself well in the cadenza, from its haunting opening theme, set against left-hand pizzicatos, to its bravura finish. The finale was dazzlingly fast, yet always in control.

        The orchestra supported her well, and she played with them as if playing chamber music, often turning to communicate with concertmaster Timothy Lees. The audience responded with bravos.

        A number of people left before the concluding Suites Nos. 1 and 2 from Falla's The Three-Cornered Hat. Mr. Lopez-Cobos was in his element in this music, leading its vibrant Spanish dance rhythms with sweep. The strings had full-blooded color; English hornist Christopher Philpotts contributed a superb, improvisatory flourish.

        Earlier, Mr. Lopez-Cobos said what a joy it was to conduct the CSO in Carnegie Hall.

        “I am nostalgic, too, to know this is my farewell concert with this orchestra in this magnificent hall,” he said. “Now our tour to Europe lies before us, and I am excited to take the orchestra to two places very important in my life, Madrid and Berlin.”

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