Oue returns to conduct Minn. Orchestra musicians

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Minnesota Orchestra conductor Eiji Oue is returning to conduct the orchestra’s locked-out musicians in a pair of holiday concerts.

Oue will conduct the musicians on Dec. 14 and 15 in the Minneapolis Convention Center Auditorium.

An all Tchaikovsky program is planned, including selections from “The Nutcracker.”

The musicians have been locked out since Oct. 1, 2012. Attempts to resolve the impasse have failed.

Conductor Osmo Vanska resigned as the orchestra’s music director as a result of the dispute.