Photograph courtesy San Francisco Symphony
It is with great sadness that I learned that Michael Tilson Thomas had passed away on April 22nd. Pianist, composer and conductor, he was one of the most creative and innovative musicians of his day.
MTT – as he was affectionately known – was loved by, and appeared with, orchestras worldwide, including the major orchestras of Europe and the United States. Always a Califorinan, he was born in Los Angeles, and after his retirement as Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony, he became the orchestra’s Music Director Laureate. He was the Co-Founder and Artistic Director Laureate of the New World Symphony and Distinguished Professor of Music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. His career included tenures as Principal Guest Conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the Buffalo Philharmonic, a Principal Guest Conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Conductor Laureate and former Principal Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra.
Tilson Thomas’s relationship with the San Francisco Symphony spanned 52 years, which included 1,800 concerts, and during his incredible 25-year tenure as Music Director, he oversaw the launch of SFS Media, the Symphony’s own recording label, which released many Grammy Award-winning recordings. He also introduced the Keeping Score video series, creating a lasting and memorable music education experience for countless young people; and he created unforgettable concert experiences for the Symphony’s audiences and community.
In early 2025, when Michael Tilson Thomas shared that his glioblastoma had returned, he announced that he would, In at that point, wind down public performances. At that time, he wrote, “A ‘coda’ is a musical element at the end of a composition that brings the whole piece to a conclusion. A coda can vary greatly in length. My life’s coda is generous and rich.” His audiences’ lives are richer for his contribution to music too.
The San Francisco Symphony will dedicate the June 18th, 20th and 21st performances of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony to Michael Tilson Thomas. According to the Symphony, plans for a special concert in celebration of his life and lasting impact will be shared at a later date.
Information sourced from San Francisco Symphony program notes
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