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Monday, November 12, 2012

Classical Music Big Names Head to Twin Cities Amid Contract Disputes

Pinchas Zukerman and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra? Edo de Waart and the Minnesota Orchestra? For followers of these two fine ensembles in the Twin Cities, the pairings echo clearly. Mr. Zukerman used to be music director of the chamber orchestra and Mr. de Waart held the same position at the Minnesota ensemble. And both men will soon be back their former podiums, but this time as bit players in labor battles. The managements of the two orchestras have locked out the musicians amid bitter contract disputes and cancelled concerts through the end of the year.

Mr. Zukerman has agreed to conduct the St. Paul players in an all-Mozart program on Dec. 2 at a church in Wayzata, Minn., a Minneapolis suburb, and Mr. de Waart will lead the Minnesota Orchestra players on Dec. 15 and 16 at the Ted Mann Concert Hall in Minneapolis, according to the Web sites of the players. The de Waart program will consist of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 and the Bach Double Violin Concerto in D mi nor, featuring the former concertmaster of the orchestra, Jorja Fleezanis, and the incumbent, Erin Keefe. Orchestra players often seek to have prominent musicians perform with them amid labor disputes to boost morale, gain public support and bring in funds.



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