[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 19 (Friday, January 31, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE MINNESOTA ORCHESTRA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KEITH ELLISON

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 31, 2014

  Mr. ELLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the Minnesota 
Orchestra and Osmo Vanska to congratulate them on their Grammy award in 
the category of Best Orchestral Performance for their recording of 
Sibelius' first and fourth symphonies. The Minnesota Orchestra is a 
source of great pride for Minnesotans and is one of the institutions 
that makes our state's artistic culture so rich.
  The Minnesota Orchestra began in 1903, the eighth major symphony 
orchestra to be established in the United States. Since then, it has 
represented Minnesota across the globe, performing in over 661 cities 
worldwide. Renowned composers Aaron Copeland and Igor Stravinsky have 
both guest-conducted the Orchestra.
  Since its early years, the Minnesota Orchestra has been a great asset 
to our state, producing landmark recordings and touring ambitiously to 
critical acclaim and full houses. Under the leadership of former 
musical director Osmo Vanska, the Orchestra has grown to elite, world-
class status. In 2010, The New Yorker wrote of their March 1 
performance at Carnegie Hall, ``the Minnesota Orchestra sounded, to my 
ears, like the greatest orchestra in the world.''
  I felt great sadness, then, when the Orchestra suspended its season 
two years ago. From October 1, 2012 to January 14, 2014, the Minnesota 
Orchestra musicians suffered the longest lockout of any American 
orchestra in history, leading to the resignation of esteemed conductor 
Vanska and significant hardship for the musicians who went without a 
secure salary or benefits. This was a painful period for Minnesota 
arts. That's why I was thrilled when both sides were able to reach a 
contractual agreement earlier this month, and I look forward to seeing 
the Orchestra return to the stage in February.
  The Orchestra has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to artistic 
excellence and integrity, and this Grammy is well-deserved. I 
appreciate all that the Orchestra and Osmo Vanska have done and 
continue to do for Minnesota, and thank them for their exemplary 
achievement and service.

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