Michael Tilson Thomas, 1944-2026

Brian · April 23, 2026, 06:50:10 AM

After a long battle with aggressive brain cancer (discussed in this thread), the great conductor, pianist, and composer died at home yesterday.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/23/arts/music/michael-tilson-thomas-dead.html

(poco) Sforzando · April 23, 2026, 07:48:01 AM

Quote from: Brian on April 23, 2026, 06:50:10 AMAfter a long battle with aggressive brain cancer (discussed in this thread), the great conductor, pianist, and composer died at home yesterday.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/23/arts/music/michael-tilson-thomas-dead.html

A fine conductor and an admirable human being. He will be missed!

Roasted Swan · April 23, 2026, 08:37:42 AM

His fine recording legacy will endure

Florestan · April 23, 2026, 08:44:18 AM

Sad news. May God rest him in peace.

Iota · April 23, 2026, 10:52:09 AM

Ah, that is indeed sad news. He seemed such a versatile conductor, but I think I actually most associate him with Ives simply because his recordings of the symphonies are my favourite.

RIP

Karl Henning · April 23, 2026, 01:00:15 PM

Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on April 23, 2026, 07:48:01 AMA fine conductor and an admirable human being. He will be missed!

Yes!

ritter · April 23, 2026, 01:24:57 PM

A sad day. I have some fine recordings by him in my collection. Never got to see him live, but some years ago my son called me from Washington DC, where he was spending some days, to ask me whether it would be worthwhile to get tickets for a concert at Kennedy Center of music by Charles Ives, conducted by "one Michael Tilson Thomas". My reply was "run, don't walk!".

Cato · April 23, 2026, 03:35:06 PM

Quote from: Iota on April 23, 2026, 10:52:09 AMAh, that is indeed sad news. He seemed such a versatile conductor, but I think I actually most associate him with Ives simply because his recordings of the symphonies are my favourite.

RIP

Quote from: ritter on April 23, 2026, 01:24:57 PMA sad day. I have some fine recordings by him in my collection. Never got to see him live, but some years ago my son called me from Washington DC, where he was spending some days, to ask me whether it would be worthwhile to get tickets for a concert at Kennedy Center of music by Charles Ives, conducted by "one Michael Tilson Thomas". My reply was "run, don't walk!".

I just heard about this: yes, too young for The Grim Reaper.

Yes, he was a great advocate for Charles Ives!

e.g.

Madiel · April 23, 2026, 09:45:44 PM

I just saw this on Australian news.

His husband died 2 months ago. That must have been especially difficult.

Belle · April 24, 2026, 12:23:36 AM

I was very sorry to learn about the death of MTT who fought a courageous battle with brain cancer. On top of that his life partner died in February, 2026 so that must have been additionally tragic. We are left with the legacy of his talent and can only be grateful for that.

Vale MTT.

nakulanb · April 24, 2026, 03:25:47 AM

I'd never heard of him. I'm listening to his Mahler 1, excellent.

Very thrilling!

Kalevala · April 24, 2026, 03:46:13 AM

I'm truly sorry to hear that. I remember listening to some of his broadcasts about Mahler, in particular. Good for PBS (here in the States).

K

Madiel · April 24, 2026, 04:24:26 AM

Quote from: Belle on April 24, 2026, 12:23:36 AMhis life partner

Husband.

relm1 · April 24, 2026, 06:22:25 AM

Aww, not unexpected but still sad to hear. He was fabulous! RIP.

Karl Henning · April 24, 2026, 06:38:44 AM

I thoroughly enjoy his Keeping Score presentations.

brewski · April 24, 2026, 06:42:14 AM

I was lucky to see MTT with the San Francisco Symphony often when they came to Carnegie Hall, and as others have said, his Ives and Mahler were spectacular. But the prize for originality goes to his 2012 appearances in a four-concert series called "American Mavericks," with an unlikely trio of performers doing John Cage: Joan La Barbara, Meredith Monk — and a third I would never have placed with those two.

Thank you, MTT, for all the incredible music, for being a terrific human (from all reports), and for inspiring one of my favorite opening paragraphs.

vandermolen · April 24, 2026, 07:03:07 AM

Quote from: Iota on April 23, 2026, 10:52:09 AMAh, that is indeed sad news. He seemed such a versatile conductor, but I think I actually most associate him with Ives simply because his recordings of the symphonies are my favourite.

RIP

His recording of Three Places in New England (DGG) is, by far, my favourite version. I also liked his recording of Tchaikovsky's Symphony 1 'Winter Daydreams'.

(poco) Sforzando · April 24, 2026, 07:53:44 AM

Quote from: Madiel on April 24, 2026, 04:24:26 AMHusband.

Correct. MTT married his longtime partner Joshua Robison in 2014, a year after California legalized gay marriage, and a year before national legalization.

Lisztianwagner · April 24, 2026, 12:24:11 PM

Very sad news, may he rest in peace. His recordings of Ives are the best I've ever listened to.

VonStupp · April 24, 2026, 01:26:31 PM

I remember Tilson Thomas championing the music of Carl Ruggles while with the Buffalo Philharmonic. I added his 70s video about Ruggles to this post.

I believe he vied for the Boston Symphony Orchestra position following William Steinberg, and if I remember correctly, the New York Philharmonic post following Mehta as well. Tilson Thomas and Ozawa were both Leonard Bernstein protégés, I think, but Ozawa got the leg up with the Boston job.

The last recording I heard from Tilson Thomas and San Francisco was his performance of Mahler's Das Klagende Lied. He was certainly a major musical spirit.
VS