Of the repertoire that Jesus Lopez-Cobos has championed during his 15-year tenure as music director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Bruckner stands out among his most persuasive efforts.

        Friday morning in Music Hall, Mr. Lopez-Cobos revisited Bruckner's Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, a massive soundscape that he also recorded with CSO in a Bruckner series for Telarc.

        Left unfinished at his death, there is speculation that Bruckner's Symphony No. 9 is actually his farewell to life. (Three movements and sketches of a fourth were completed.) Whatever the meaning, this symphony is a horn player's dream.

        If Mr. Lopez-Cobos wanted to convey a majestic, powerful impression, he succeeded, largely through the efforts of the choir of nine horns and Wagnerian tubas that spanned across the back of the orchestra.

        The conductor was focused and confident as he led the hour-long work without a score. His first movement was measured yet full of thrust. Massive buildups in the brass were controlled, and the more lyrical moments in the strings were well-shaped and executed. The scherzo was vigorous, even though it seemed rushed for his players.

        In the last movement, the powerful outbursts in the brass were thrillingly played, and the work concluded on a glowing sonority. If only the maestro would abandon the practice of melodramatically lowering his arms at the end.

        The program's first half was devoted to the Bruch Violin Concerto in G Minor. The soloist was Jaime Laredo, who is about to begin a formal association with the CSO as distinguished artist of a new Bach & Beyond chamber orchestra series.

        Mr. Laredo projected sweetness, refinement, and above all, expressiveness in this much-loved concerto. Not an overly demonstrative player, he nevertheless communicated passion and musicality as he stood facing the audience, now and then turning to the concertmaster.

        He took liberties with the lyrical theme of the slow movement, sliding up and down to notes — at times with glissandos — yet it did not seem self-indulgent. That sentimental touch continued in the finale, which he balanced with plenty of drama and fire.

        The orchestras projected a full-blooded sound in the tutti passages, and Mr. Lopez-Cobos kept an excellent balance.

        At intermission, three musicians were recognized for 25 years of playing: violist Sari Eringer-Thoman, hornist Robert Schauer and principal tuba player Michael Thornton.

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