#mn orchestra

[stevebunge]

A little MN music from the stay at home period.

[ackermangruber]

We have had the pleasure of photographing Osmo Vänskä over the last few months, but this our first portrait session with him for The Washington Post and it was finally nice to meet the man behind the music. 

[raccoonapologist]

MN Orchestra Lockout

It finally ended! We will have an orchestra again! This horrid time is over! They signed a three-year deal and should be back on stage in early February! This is the best news of the night!

[minnpost]

Musicians of MN Orchestra announce 10-concert season

This comes on the heels of the MOA reporting total expenses for 2012-13 of $13.1 million and an operating loss of $1.1 million, citing the loss as proof that the current business model is “out of alignment.” The musicians responded that “the leadership of the MOA managed to spend $13 million and run a $1 million deficit while producing no concerts.” The New Yorker’s Alex Ross, who’s been watching us like a hawk, wrote, “Words fail,” then dubbed the MOA’s report “dumbfounding.”

Aspirins all around, please, or something much stronger.

[ladyemilyrose]

So I don't know if any of you live in MN or care about orchestras or anything...

But the musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra are going through an incredibly difficult time right now. 

The Minnesota Orchestra has worked hard in the last decade to make it not only one of the premiere orchestras in the country, but in the world. Now, after lots of hard work, they are regarded as one of the best orchestras in the world. 

Now, after making renovations to Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, the management of the Minnesota Orchestra has attempted cut the musicians salaries by 30% to 50%. 

It is a crime to try to make these hard working musicians agree to such terms. It would mean losing many of the amazing musicians that have transformed the MN Orchestra into the world-class organization, and subsequently, forcing it to lose that title and go back to being a 3rd tier regional orchestra. 

It is an outrage to think of cutting the arts in such a way. In the Minneapolis arts scene in the last decade or so, many theaters have had renovations made or completely new buildings. But did their management force tremendous and damaging pay cuts onto the artists? No. So why should the Minnesota Orchestra agree to these terms and destroy one of the best orchestras in the world? 

The musicians are now in lockout. A large portion of the season has been cancelled. The effects are already being felt. 

The reason I'm making this post is because I know several members of the orchestra. As a violist in the Twin Cities area, I've had the chance to work with them and learn from them in the past. I've played at Orchestra Hall before. As someone so involved in the classical music scene in Minnesota, it hurts to see these talented artists treated in such a way. 

The reason I'm making this post is to draw attention to the hardships that these musicians are currently going through. If you'd like to learn more about what's going on, you can check on the most recent updates here. 

Also, I would be grateful if any of would sign their petition, which can be found HERE. It would take literally less than 30 seconds, and would be one step in the process of getting these musicians back to what they do best: Making music.