Michael Tilson Thomas, cherished maestro, bids farewell from the conductor's stand.
Unleashing Michael Tilson Thomas: A Symphonic Farewell
San Francisco - San Francisco bid adieu to Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT) in grand style. The city hall illuminated MTT's trademark blue, while Davies Symphony Hall, MTT's home for a quarter century, was adorned with giant blue balloons. It felt like the culmination of MTT's declaration in February, "It's a wrap."
Despite battling an aggressive form of brain cancer since summer 2021, MTT continued to conduct, astounding audiences across the U.S. and even Europe. But in February, he learned that the tumor had returned, making his final performance in San Francisco, a 80th tribute to this native Angeleno, his last public appearance.
MTT managed the podium with his husband, Joshua Robison, by his side. MTT began with Benjamin Britten's Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Purcell, better known as "The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra." As different tributes poured in, MTT led an electrifying performance of Respighi's "Roman Festivals" before an encore of "Where has the time all gone to?" from Leonard Bernstein's "On the Town."
For six decades, MTT has been a beacon in American music, captivating audiences since his undergraduate years at USC. His mentor, Bernstein, once said MTT saw a bigger picture than any great American conductor before him. With a pioneering sense of eclecticism, MTT bridged gaps between classical and avant-garde, traditional and contemporary, in a way few could.
Throughout his career, MTT nurtured generations of young musicians and gave voice to outsiders who would shape American music. He elevated mavericks like Meredith Monk and Lou Harrison to iconic status.
The San Francisco concert only touched on MTT's impact, but it showcased what makes him tick. In "Young Person's Guide," Tilson Thomas demonstrated an undying love for every section of the orchestra and his lifelong dedication to education. Teddy Abrams, his apprentice, took the stage, turning pages as MTT offered the orchestra a seasoned guide.
Indeed, MTT has left a legacy that transcends the symphony stage. His transformative programming, championing modern American composers, and redefining orchestral accessibility will resonate for years to come. COVID-19 may have forced MTT to wrap up earlier than anticipated, but his soaring "Roman Festivals" felt like an eternal 'Let Us Pass' to the audience, reminding us that MTT's music will live on for generations to come.
After all, MTT had often mused about the question – What happens when the music stops? Can it change us? Does it matter?Until the music eventually stops, the answer seems crystal clear – for MTT, it matters tremendously.
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Enrichment Data:
Michael Tilson Thomas' career in classical music spans over five decades, marked by Grammy-winning recordings, educational initiatives, and a profound influence on cultural institutions. His legacy is defined by transformative programming, championing American composers, and redefining orchestral accessibility.
In 1969, MTT made his meteoric debut subbing for an ailing Boston Symphony Orchestra conductor, launching his journey towards leadership roles at institutions like the Buffalo Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestra. His tenure as Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony from 1995 to 2025 elevated the orchestra’s global stature through innovative programming that blended American works with traditional staples.
Key contributions during his San Francisco Symphony era include championing American composers like Charles Ives, John Adams, and Steve Reich, treating their works as equal to European classics. He also recorded a complete Mahler symphony cycle with SFS, emphasizing emotional depth and clarity. Moreover, the Keeping Score Initiative targeted classical music education by offering multimedia projects to dissect composers' lives and music, democratizing the genre.
In 1987, MTT founded Miami’s New World Symphony, a training ground for young musicians focused on adopting hybrid orchestral formats. His Kennedy Center Honor (2019) and 12 Grammy Awards reflect his dual focus on artistic excellence and public engagement.
Despite his departure, MTT's legacy endures, with current San Francisco Symphony musicians advocating for his mission. Despite his health struggles, MTT's music continues to illuminate our world with his unique blend of daring and cultural stewardship.
- San Francisco bid a grand farewell to Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT), illuminating city hall in his trademark blue and adorning Davies Symphony Hall with giant blue balloons.
- Despite battling brain cancer, MTT continued to conduct, astounding audiences across the U.S. and Europe, but his final performance in San Francisco marked his last public appearance.
- MTT, a native Angeleno, began his career at USC and was mentored by Leonard Bernstein, who praised his ability to see a bigger picture in American music.
- Throughout his career, MTT nurtured generations of young musicians and gave voice to outsiders who would shape American music, elevating mavericks like Meredith Monk and Lou Harrison to iconic status.
- The San Francisco concert showcased MTT's love for education as he demonstrated an undying love for every section of the orchestra in "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra".
- MTT's transformative programming, championing modern American composers, and redefining orchestral accessibility will resonate for years to come, even after COVID-19 forced an early wrap-up.
- MTT's music transcends the symphony stage, influencing television, entertainment, celebrities, and pop-culture, much like the Hollywood Rams, who share the same home state as MTT.
- Even though MTT has retired, his legacy lives on, inspiring current San Francisco Symphony musicians to continue his mission, and his unique blend of daring and cultural stewardship continues to illuminate our world.
