By Janelle Gelfand
The Cincinnati Enquirer

It isn't often that one is privileged to hear a living legend.

On Friday, Andre Watts delivered a heroic performance of Beethoven's Emperor Concerto with Paavo Jarvi and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, in a feat of virtuosity unequaled this season.

The onetime prodigy, whose New York Philharmonic debut at age 16 is legendary, is now an elder statesman at 57. His playing was both aristocratic and risk-taking. This was Beethoven as it should be played, with heaven-rending fortissimos one moment, and exquisite, rippling softness the next.

Watts was soloist in an evening that opened with the world premiere of Halcyon Sun, an 18-minute piece by Jonathan Holland, commissioned in honor of the opening of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. The program concluded with a richly rewarding performance of Schumann's Symphony No. 2.

Watts' return was long overdue; his last appearance here was in 1991, at Riverbend. Fortunately, a severe brain hemorrhage in late 2002 has not affected his playing.

Watts summoned orchestral sonorities in Beethoven's Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Emperor, displaying considerable showmanship - but it was all for the music. His opening keyboard-spanning cadenzas were flung off authoritatively and with noble, ringing tone. He played with commanding control and weight, brilliantly tossing off trills and runs - then suddenly calling upon lightning and thunder.

Jarvi's orchestra matched the drama, and Watts often turned to communicate with the musicians, as if he were playing chamber music. The slow movement's theme had a singing quality, and Watts seemed to revel in the rich, deep tone he projected.

He pounced on the finale like a man possessed, alternating between quicksilver runs and powerful chords, at times tossing up his left hand. He pounded his feet as he cascaded off the last run, and the audience rose with a roar.

The evening opened with Holland's Halcyon Sun, symbolizing the light at the end of a journey - or freedom to those traveling through the Underground Railroad. Holland created a glowing canvas built around ascending scales and pulsating motives. The second movement was syncopated and edgy, with its staccato theme in xylophone and marimba.

To conclude, Jarvi led an invigorating reading of Schumann's Symphony No. 2 in C Major. From the first note, it was brisk, driving and alive with detail.

The scherzo was lightning-fast, and the slow movement had great lyrical beauty. Jarvi led with deep feeling, and his players responded with impassioned playing.

The concert repeats at 8 p.m. today and 3 p.m. Sunday. All Sunday tickets $5. 381-3300.

E-mail jgelfand@enquirer.com.