Locked-Out Minn. Musicians To Stage Own Concerts

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Locked-out musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra are planning their own holiday concerts.

The announcement Friday comes a day after the orchestra's management said it was canceling or rescheduling the orchestra's concerts through the end of the year.

The musicians say they will stage two concerts on Dec. 15 and 16 at Ted Mann Concert Hall in Minneapolis.

Former Minnesota Orchestra music director Edo de Waart will conduct.

The program will include Beethoven's 9th Symphony. The musicians also will perform Bach's Double Violin Concerto with soloists Jorga Fleezanis and Erin Keefe, the Minnesota Orchestra's former and present concertmasters, respectively.

Management locked out the musicians on Sept. 30 after the two sides failed to reach agreement on a new contract. Contract talks are stalled.

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