Minnesota Orchestra wins Grammy

The Minnesota Orchestra, which just announced a new series of concerts after ending what will be a 16-month lockout, has won the Grammy for Best Orchestral Performance.

The orchestra, with Osmo Vanska conducting, won for its recording of Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4 by Sibelius.

"I want to congratulate the Orchestra and Osmo on this outstanding honor," said Michael Henson, the Orchestra's President and CEO in a statement. "This institution has an illustrious recording history that dates to the 1920s, and today's award is a brilliant achievement in that long legacy."

Vanska released this statement upon hearing the news:

"I am absolutely thrilled that this recording of Sibelius Symphonies 1 and 4 -- works so close to my heart -- has been honoured with a Grammy Award. I am immensely happy and proud to have been able to achieve this in partnership with my dear and devoted friends at BIS record label and with the remarkable musicians of the Minnesota Orchestra. It is the greatest honour to be presented with such a distinctive award by our peers - and I convey my genuine thanks to The Recording Academy for this wonderful recognition."

The Minnesota Orchestra said it will perform concerts at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis March 27 to 29 in celebration of the Grammy win. Vanska will conduct the orchestra's performance of the Sibelius symphonies honored by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

Other nominees were the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Orchestra Mozart and Berliner Philharmoniker.

The honor comes after the orchestra and its musicians agreed on a new three-year contract after a bitter 15-month lockout. Minnesota Orchestra Principal Cellist Tony Ross said the dispute actually may have helped the orchestra win the Grammy by drawing more attention to it.

"I think the heightened awareness from the last 16-months of lockout made more people listen to our recording and consider it," Ross said.

'GET LUCKY' RULES

Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams didn't only get lucky -- they won in every category they were nominated in at the Grammy Awards, including the coveted album of the year and record of the year for the funk-electronic anthem "Get Lucky."

"Back when I was drinking and using, I used to imagine things that weren't there that were frightening. And then I got sober and two robots called me and asked me to make an album," said producer Paul Williams, who stood onstage with Daft Punk, who sported their signature helmets.

The French duo won four awards, including best dance/electronica album for "Random Access Memories" and pop duo/group performance for "Get Lucky," which earned Pharrell a trophy.

Daft Punk's retro, dance-flavored album not only featured ultra-hip Pharrell, but it also included music veterans Nile Rodgers and Giorgio Moroder. The 70s-sounding album matched the nostalgic mood of the Grammys, which featured many mellow performances and acts like Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Chicago and Stevie Wonder.

Pharrell, like Daft Punk, won four honors. He came into the night with seven nominations, but competed with himself in three categories. Williams, who has produced hits for Britney Spears and Jay Z in the past, won his first Grammy for non-classical producer of the year.

While the men dominated, Lorde was the princess of the Grammys: Her hit "Royals" won song of the year and best pop solo performance.

"Thank you everyone who has let this song explode because it's been mental," she said.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis tied Williams and Daft Punk with four wins. They won best new artist and rap album for "The Heist," beating efforts from Kendrick Lamar, Jay Z, Kanye West and Drake.

"Wow, we're here on the stage right now," said Macklemore, thanking fans first, then his fiancee and team. "I want to say we made this album without a record label, we made it independently and we appreciate all the support."

The duo performed the gay acceptance hit "Same Love," and 33 same-sex and heterosexual couples got married in the middle in the performance as Queen Latifah officiated. Madonna joined in wearing an all-white suit and hat, and sang "Open Your Heart" and some of "Same Love" with Mary Lambert. Keith Urban cried and Katy Perry caught a bouquet during the performance, where Lewis' sister was among those tying the knot.

Macklemore & Lewis' wins, which include best rap song and rap performance for "Thrift Shop," came after the Grammy rap committee almost ousted the group from its categories. A source told The Associated Press that the rap committee rejected the duo, but that was later overruled by the general Grammy committee. The rap committee felt Macklemore & Lewis should qualify for the pop awards instead because of their massive success on Top 40 radio. The source, who attended the general Grammy meeting, spoke on the condition of anonymity because the meeting was private.

Beyonce kicked off the Grammy Awards with a steamy and smoky performance of "Drunk In Love:" She started on a chair and then grinded in a revealing black outfit. Jay Z emerged in a fitted suit to rap his verse, and the couple _ parents of little Blue Ivy _ held hands and danced together.

Imagine Dragons and Kendrick Lamar, who left empty-handed, collaborated onstage to create an electrifying performance, as the acts sported all-white and went from rap song to rock song. Robin Thicke performed with Chicago, singing the group's songs before going into "Blurred Lines," which energized the crowd. Thicke finished the performance singing on the floor.

Perry sang "Dark Horse" in an eerie forest with fire that mirrored the song's vibe, and John Legend and Taylor Swift _ who whipped her head, and hair, back and forth _ played pianos during their slow songs. Pink twirled in the air in her signature Cirque du Soleil-form.

Swift, who was nominated for album of the year, lost best country album in a surprise upset to rising singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves.

"Oh my goodness. Oh my god. I can't even. I can't even," said a teary-eyed, but happy Musgraves, whose "Same Trailer Different Park" won the honor. "I got to make a record that I poured myself into and I'm so proud of."

The singer also beat Swift for best country song and was nominated for new artist.

Justin Timberlake, who wasn't up for any of the major awards but had seven nods, didn't make an appearance at the awards show. He won three trophies, including best R&B song for "Pusher Love Girl" and music video for "Suit & Tie," which also earned Jay Z a Grammy. Jay Z and Timberlake also won best rap/sung collaboration for "Holy Grail."

"I want to thank God -- I mean a little bit for this award -- but mostly for all the universe for conspiring and putting that beautiful light of a young lady in my life," Jay Z said, looking at Beyonce. "I want to tell Blue that, look, `Daddy got a gold sippy cup for you."'

Bruno Mars, who will perform at the Super Bowl halftime show next week, won best pop vocal album with his sophomore release, "Unorthodox Jukebox."

"Ma, I know you're watching. I hope you're smiling. I love you very much," said Mars, remembering his mother, who passed away last year. Mars' father attended the awards show.

Paul McCartney, engineer Bob Ludwig and gospel singer Tye Tribett were double winners. Imagine Dragons and Rihanna also picked up trophies. Bob Ludwig.