Remembering Michael Tilson Thomas

Rik Malone and MTT

The Classical California family was sorry to hear about the passing of Michael Tilson Thomas. From his hometown roots in Los Angeles, trailblazing start at USC, and legendary tenure with the San Francisco Symphony, he's made an indelible impact on our communities and the classical music world at large. He will be deeply missed. The outpouring of support has been tremendous. Below are some remembrances from our hosts and listeners. Please feel free to share your tributes below as well.

Decades before Rik Malone started hosting the San Francisco Symphony broadcasts, I did a 10 year stint at Davies Symphony Hall and got to see the transition from Herbert Blomstedt to Michael Tilson Thomas. The conventional wisdom was that HB whipped the Orchestra into shape and MTT then took them to the stratosphere and beyond. The very first concert he conducted as music director designate is something I’ll never forget. It was Sheherazade followed after intermission by the Rite of Spring . Yeah, goosebumps. The ovation he received as he walked out on stage with everybody knowing that the future of San Francisco Symphony was going to be in his hands for at least a while, we didn’t know then that it would be 25 years, but we knew it was gonna be something special. Anyway the ovation was unforgettable. And the performance, same. He was not the easiest interview, not always terribly forthcoming, but he was a charmer on stage. The audience loved him to the max and the musicians adored him, and that’s really all that matters.

-Dianne Nicolini

Brian Lauritzen and MTT on stage

@simonlaphil

In what instantly became one of my favorite moments ever on stage at Walt Disney Concert Hall…I was hosting a post-concert Q&A with Michael Tilson Thomas. We were talking about the concert he had just conducted: Tchaik 6 and his own composition “Four Playthings of the Wind.” It was a thoughtful, mesmerizing conversation—as they always were with MTT—and as we were nearing the end, MTT’s husband, Joshua Robison, sent their beloved dog Maydela on stage to help us wrap it up. Cuteness overload, for sure! And I’ll never forget the look of absolute love and adoration I saw flash through MTT’s eyes in that beautiful moment.

-Brian Lauritzen

MTT gave me a connection to both classical music and my own heritage - Jewish artists in NYC and San Francisco - that leaves me a little speechless. He articulated and celebrated his own family's history in Jewish theatre in NYC, and when I got to NY to study performing arts, I ended up watching Yiddish theatre (Amerike the Golden Land) at the same place his family had performed - the 2nd Avenue Theatre. My father also grew up in that culture and MTT helped me find connections to my own heritage. He celebrated American music in all its complexity, vigour, and celebrated its roots in our fabulous mix of cultures. Along with Leonard Bernstein, he was a true role model in sharing the best of performing arts with EVERYONE - and he was instrumental (pun intended) in showing me how arts outreach should be and could be done.

- Carol in San Francisco

MTT was a gift to classical music and innovator! My daughter had the pleasure of working with MTT and his husband, archiving his works to ship to the Smithsonian. Despite his illness, when it came to talking about music he was so present and the way he spoke about music was so inspiring, the knowledge he presented it was as if he didn't have the illness. He and his husband gave so much to the music community, gave so much to young musicians every where and to the students at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. We will miss this dynamic duo of the ARTs. MTT will forever be a gift to classical music!

- Anna in Canoga Park

I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated MTT from 1995 all the way to his last year conducting the SF symphony in 2025. He was an enlightening teacher and opened my eyes to Gustav Mahler's work. I loved the lectures he gave about his Yiddish grandparents' background. My memories of Michael Tilson Thomas conducting in San Francisco will always be cherished.

- Irene in San Francisco

During the time of Michael’s tenure with the Buffalo Philharmonic, I was a (concert) pianist on the faculty of the State University of New York and had the pleasure and honor to perform as soloist with him and the orchestra on at least two occasions as well as performing with him, he as pianist-conductor, in the Bach Concerto for four keyboards. As an audience member, I frequently went backstage after his concerts to congratulate him. He liked to demonstrate his keyboard abilities and enjoyed just chatting. In those days he was just “Michael,”—the moniker “MTT” came later!

- Stephen in Santa Monica

MTT's presence in San Francisco was colossal -- way beyond his gravity within Davies Symphony Hall. Everyone seemed know MTT ... or, wanted to know him. More than mere fame, MTT attracted so many of us to his passion for music and where its performance could take you. He invited us to share moments of spontaneous brilliance, which he drew out of our Symphony. He kindled the promise that you could experience an unforgettable, unique moment on any night. The mystery of it all! MTT leaves us far richer for taking us on that journey with him;and for sharing so much of himself with us ... to the point where all of San Francisco feels like we've lost a dear friend. Thank you, MTT.

- Kevin in Greenbrae

At a Stern Grove concert some years ago, MTT was conducting the SF Orchestra with Grofé’s Grand Canyon Suite. During the performance, hawks circling overhead started to call out. It was at a perfect moment during the concert, and the audience started to laugh. After the music ended, MTT commented ‘Ahhh, nature!’ It was a wonderful music in the great outdoors moment.

- Josie in Menlo Park

Many many years ago Michael Tilson Thomas conducted a production of "Fidelio" at Houston Grand Opera. I was proud and lucky to be in the chorus. He was a marvel to work with - and he couldn't have been more kind. He was radiant, unique and so joyful. It was a complete thrill & honor to experience him in a working situation like that. RIP.

- Jeffrey in Los Angeles

I owe MTT a huge debt. He reintroduced me to music I knew as a kid but made it approachable and showed me the classical world so much bigger. I am grateful for his recordings but will miss his take on all the new music being created today.

-Elizabeth in San Diego

Watching Keeping Score—especially his exploration of Symphony No. 3 (Eroica) by Ludwig van Beethoven—deepened my understanding of the music in a lasting way. He didn’t just explain the symphony;he opened it up, revealing its structure, emotion, and bold spirit with clarity and insight. Seeing him conduct was equally inspiring. His ability to connect the music to the audience made every performance feel meaningful and alive. I will always be grateful for how he helped me hear Beethoven—and music itself—more deeply.

- Shervin in Danville

Thank you Maestro for teaching us that music has the capacity and the power to truly captivate our souls and ease the pains of the human condition. Your perseverance, love, and dedication to your craft is a lesson to us all. To answer what I personally have taken away from the music and your performances, it is that the pure joy of truly appreciating any and all music that I hear has now become solidly infused within my heart forever. I can only hope to someday be as effective an interpreter, communicator, and teacher who fosters appreciation in my own field of particle physics as you've done for all these years for classical music! Thank you MTT for bringing to life the joy of music. A true musical icon that will be greatly missed! May his memory be a blessing.

-Olivia in Evanston, IL

Keeping Score, Mahler, Copeland - for me, Michael Tilson Thomas opened up new ways of listening to and understanding composers and their music. And I still cannot get enough of listening to his playing the piano and conducting the SF Symphony in Copeland's "Rodeo" and Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue"; it's just so darned much FUN to listen to. While I am wondering how this void will be filled, I am so happy he's no longer in pain. Rest in peace M.T.T.

-Pat in Castro Valley

He was such an amazing conductor and pedagogue. He was so passionate about communicating connections between music and history, as evidenced by his "Keeping Score" series (I particularly like the Shostakovich edition). I remember fondly getting to see him conduct Gustav Mahler's 8th Symphony and the Adagio from the 10th. I was also introduced to a favorite piece of mine, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's 1st Symphony, through attending an open rehearsal with MTT and the SFS. Rest in peace, Maestro. Thanks for the great musical memories!

-Michael from Missoula, MT

Sadly, I never got the opportunity to hear/watch MTT in person at a live concert, but I always looked forward to hearing concert broadcasts and recordings of his over the air. He had such a huge impact on the American classical music scene, and will be missed dearly. Aloha.

-Miriam in Honolulu

You can find more memories, photos, and videos celebrating the life and legacy of MTT on social media.