Radio City Music Hall in New York was alive with the sound of music Friday -- music played by people, not the canned soundtrack that replaced striking musicians for two weeks.

The orchestra returned for the afternoon "Christmas Spectacular " show on Friday. With the mediation of Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Radio City Entertainment and the union representing musicians reached a tentative contract agreement Thursday to allow the 35 musicians to play again.

While a mediator tried to resolve the conflict over wages and benefits, the 10-week show had gone on with recorded music. The union said the performers wanted to return to work while negotiations continued, but Radio City denied that they were locked out.

Union president David Lennon said in a statement that the concerned parties had reached a deal on a long-term contract that will guarantee live music at Radio City Music Hall for years to come, calling the deal "a win for the musicians, management, the city of New York and audiences from all over the world."

Lennon thanked Bloomberg "for his help in bringing the parties together and his support for live music in New York City." James Dolan, president of Cablevision Systems Corp., which owns Radio City, also thanked the mayor for providing a forum and mediator.

Bloomberg said in a statement that the agreement "announces to the world the official start of New York City's holiday season and affirms that our city will continue hosting spectacular events, and attracting countless new visitors."

After a summer of fruitless negotiations, the labor dispute over the musicians' five-year contract, which had expired last May, came to a head Nov. 2, when the orchestra went on strike and two preseason shows were canceled.

The "Christmas Spectacular," which features the chorus-line kicks of the Rockettes dancers, is known around the world.

Source: Xinhua