Person

Michael Tilson Thomas

Sound · 1944–2026 · Los Angeles, California, USA

Biography

Michael Tilson Thomas (December 21, 1944 – April 22, 2026) was an American conductor, composer and pianist. He was artistic director laureate of the New World Symphony, an American orchestral academy in Miami Beach, Florida, music director laureate of the San Francisco Symphony, and conductor laureate of the London Symphony Orchestra. He gave his final performance with the San Francisco Symphony in April 2025 while fighting brain cancer.

Known for

Filmography

2020Michael Tilson Thomas: Where Now Is
2019Metallica and San Francisco Symphony: S&M2Self
2018Leonard Bernstein Centennial Celebration at TanglewoodSelf - Conductor
2018Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr StorySelf
2016SoundbreakingSelf
2015London Symphony Orchestra: Shostakovich 5
2012Michael Tilson Thomas: The Thomashefskys
2011Keeping Score: Mahler LegacyNarrator
2011Keeping Score: Mahler OriginsNarrator
2011Keeping Score - Mahler Origins and LegacyConductor
2010MasterclassSelf
2009Keeping Score: Shostakovich Symphony No. 5
2009Keeping Score - Hector Berlioz Symphonie fantastique
2006Keeping Score: Stravinsky's Rite of Spring
2006Keeping Score: Stravinsky Rite of SpringNarrator
2006Rehearsing a DreamSelf
2006Keeping Score: Beethoven's Eroica
2004Keeping ScoreSelf – Host
2003Bad Boy Made Good: The Revival of George Antheil's 1924 Ballet MécaniqueSelf - Conductor
2000John Adams: A Portrait and A Concert of Modern American MusicSelf
1993On the TownConductor
1987Steve Reich: A New Musical LanguageSelf
1976Carnival of the AnimalsSelf - Conductor
1971Great PerformancesSelf
—Keeping Score: Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4

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