The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and soloists were a few bars into J.S. Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5, when the fire alarm went off in Corbett Auditorium Tuesday night, and about 500 concertgoers were sent briefly out into the rain.

        “We just wanted to make a grand entrance twice,” joked Jaime Laredo, distinguished artist of the CSO's new “Bach and Beyond” series.

        It was the only glitch in the three-week series, concluding its second year. (Earlier nearby lightning strikes wreaked havoc with the alarm system, causing the malfunction, officials said.)

        At the end of Tuesday's program, which included pianist Lee Luvisi performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21, the audience rose, and the musicians insisted Mr. Laredo take a bow alone. With such appealing programs, one can only hope that the CSO will bring back Mr. Laredo in coming seasons.

        Soloists in the Brandenburg were Mr. Luvisi, performing the harpsichord part on the piano, CSO principal flutist Randolph Bowman and Mr. Laredo, serving as both conductor and violinist.

        Using a piano cast the concerto in a different light for those accustomed to period instrument performances. While the sound was not as scintillating as when heard with harpsichord, the playing was polished, fresh and alert, and the instrumentation opened up new interpretive possibilities for both keyboardist and orchestra.

        Mr. Luvisi's touch was featherweight as he tackled Bach's virtuosic runs and flourishes with tasteful sweep. Tempos were well-chosen; the slow movement was beautifully phrased and the soloists communicated the joy of the finale.

        The pianist, a native of Louisville, returned as soloist in Mozart's Piano Concerto in C Minor, K. 467. It was a nuanced performance, one of rippling runs, expressive color and pristine articulation.

        The slow movement, with its famous Elvira Madigan theme, was beautifully phrased. The finale bubbled with spontaneity, and the musicians brought out its good-natured humor.

        Mr. Luvisi's first movement cadenza was a rarely heard one by Romanian pianist Dino Lipatti (1917-50); he improvised his own flourish in the finale.

        On the podium, Mr. Laredo supported him well, though it was Mr. Luvisi who provided impetus when the orchestra lagged.

        After intermission, Mr. Laredo led Corigliano's lush, romantic Voyage for strings, in a deeply felt performance. The evening concluded with a spirited reading of Haydn's Symphony No. 94, Surprise. The first movement was light, brisk and sunny; the minuet was rustic and the finale sparkled with infectious wit.

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