New York ? For the first time ever, the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall performed the Christmas show Thursday without the accompaniment of live musicians. Instead, they high-kicked to recorded music.

The decision by Radio City Entertainment, owned by Cablevision, to replace the 35-member orchestra with recorded music came after the members of the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 staged a walkout Wednesday night amid a bitter, months-long contract dispute. Two pre-season performances were canceled that night as a result.

Then Thursday a union spokesman said the orchestra was ready to accept an updated offer management had put forth last Friday. The musicians showed up at the Music Hall for the two performances dressed in tuxedos, but were turned away by security guards.

Noting that musicians had not shown up for rehearsals, executives said in a statement that it had an “obligation to protect the tradition” of the show for “generations of American families.