The city's cultural maestro returns to the spotlight for a landmark celebration. The San Francisco Symphony is throwing an elaborate birthday bash for Music Director Laureate Michael Tilson Thomas, more fondly known as MTT, at Davies Symphony Hall on April 26. Marking his 80th trip around the sun, MTT will again take up the baton to conduct a specially curated evening featuring Benjamin Britten and Ottorino Respighi pieces. The one-night affair is a mix of nostalgia and musical brilliance that promises a calendar highlight for the Bay Area's classical music aficionados.
After leading the Symphony for a quarter-century, MTT retired in 2020, with his last full season sadly clipped by the global pandemic. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the much-lauded conductor faced a significant health challenge when he was diagnosed with brain cancer the following year. But, displaying an immense zest for life and music that's been his trademark, he's faced the disease head-on. He's even made a few guest appearances post-diagnosis, including a poignant performance of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony with the Symphony this past January—previously thought to be his local swan song.
MTT's influence spans well beyond the traditional concert hall, with initiatives like the SoundBox series and multimedia education projects Keeping Score upending classical music norms. Undoubtedly, his bold approach has reshaped the cultural landscape of San Francisco and reverberated across the globe. Recognized with 12 Grammy Awards, a National Medal of Arts, and numerous other accolades, MTT's enduring legacy is as expansive as his talent.
Both fans and peers can start marking their calendars, as tickets for the 80th birthday concert will be up for grabs starting January 28, with prices beginning at an accessible $99. And there's more than just the performance to anticipate, as the event's page on the San Francisco Symphony website teases special guest appearances and a program that's a testament to MTT's storied career. Social media users are encouraged to share their favorite MTT moments using the hashtag #MTT80 to get the buzz going and maybe walk down memory lane.
In a graceful nod to MTT's ongoing battle with glioblastoma multiforme, a collection of his compositions titled "Grace: The Music of Michael Tilson Thomas" was released in October. Diving into his artistic mind, the collection adds to the celebration while supporting a vital cause, with all proceeds benefiting brain cancer research at UCSF.
