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.

Michael Tilson Thomas

Sound Born December 21, 1944 – Died April 22, 2026 Los Angeles, California, USA

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

Great Performances

Self

Soundbreaking

Self

Masterclass

Self

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story

Self

The Rhythm of Life

Metallica and San Francisco Symphony: S&M2

Self

Leonard Bernstein Centennial Celebration at Tanglewood

Self - Conductor

John Adams: A Portrait and A Concert of Modern American Music

Self

Carnival of the Animals

Self - Conductor

Michael Tilson Thomas: The Thomashefskys

Keeping Score

Self – Host

Steve Reich: A New Musical Language

Self