Michael Tilson Thomas
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
Metallica and San Francisco Symphony: S&M2
87%
Self
2019
Great Performances
61%
Conductor, Music Director, Orchestrator
1971
Carnival of the Animals
60%
Self - Conductor
1976
Leonard Bernstein Centennial Celebration at Tanglewood
100%
Self - Conductor
2018
Keeping Score: Beethoven's Eroica
100%
2006
Michael Tilson Thomas: Where Now Is
2020
London Symphony Orchestra: Shostakovich 5
2015
Michael Tilson Thomas: The Thomashefskys
2012
Michael Tilson Thomas: Where Now Is
2020
Metallica and San Francisco Symphony: S&M2
87%
Self
2019
Leonard Bernstein Centennial Celebration at Tanglewood
100%
Self - Conductor
2018
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story
69%
Self
2018
London Symphony Orchestra: Shostakovich 5
2015
Michael Tilson Thomas: The Thomashefskys
2012
Keeping Score: Mahler Origins
Narrator
2011
Keeping Score: Mahler Legacy
Narrator
2011
Keeping Score - Mahler Origins and Legacy
Conductor
2011
Masterclass
Self
2010
Keeping Score: Shostakovich Symphony No. 5
2009
Keeping Score - Hector Berlioz Symphonie fantastique
2009
Keeping Score - Hector Berlioz Symphonie fantastique
Director
2009
Keeping Score: Stravinsky's Rite of Spring
2006
Keeping Score: Stravinsky Rite of Spring
Narrator
2006
Rehearsing a Dream
Self
2006
Keeping Score: Beethoven's Eroica
100%
2006
Keeping Score: Beethoven's Eroica
100%
Conductor
2006
Keeping Score: Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4
2004
Keeping Score: Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4
Conductor
2004
Bad Boy Made Good: The Revival of George Antheil's 1924 Ballet Mécanique
100%
Self - Conductor
2003
John Adams: A Portrait and A Concert of Modern American Music
Self
2000
On the Town
Conductor
1993
Steve Reich: A New Musical Language
Self
1987
Carnival of the Animals
60%
Self - Conductor
1976
Carnival of the Animals
60%
Conductor
1976
Great Performances
61%
Conductor, Music Director, Orchestrator
1971