San Francisco bade an emotional farewell to classical music maestro Michael Tilson Thomas as he conducted his final performance with the San Francisco Symphony. The concert last Saturday commemorated his 80th birthday and his invaluable contributions to the local and global music scene over a span of 51 years. Fans, friends, and city leaders filled Davies Symphony Hall, clad in various shades of blue, Thomas' favorite color, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
Every attendee was greeted with a blue bandana, a nod to the Music Director Laureate's preferred hue, and a quote from Thomas about the key times in an artist's life. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie even declared April 26 "Michael Tilson Thomas Day," per the Chronicle's coverage. This wasn't just a musical event but a city-wide celebration, underscored by the Symphony's Instagram post highlighting the evening's sea of blue and star-studded program.
Indeed, the night was as much a tribute to Thomas' artistry as it reflected communal respect and admiration. The SF Symphony's Instagram account captured snapshots of the event's notable performances, including conductors Teddy Abrams & Edwin Outwater, mezzo-sopranos Sasha Cooke & Frederica von Stade, and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus. The program brimmed with Thomas' influence – from new arrangements of his works to sentimental favorites from his illustrious career.
An air of poignancy hung over the sold-out venue, as attendees were acutely aware of the gravity behind the event. The SF Standard captured the heightened emotions, quoting audience member Jennifer Brown: "It's very moving to hear Michael's music performed for him by people who love him." The sense of finality was inescapable; Thomas, who announced stepping back from public performances after a recurrence of glioblastoma, conducted with robust energy despite his health challenges, even concluding with the high-energy "Roman Festivals" by Ottorino Respighi.
Thomas' tenure with the San Francisco Symphony has been transformative, with his commitment and vision shaping the institution profoundly. "You can't think of the San Francisco Symphony without thinking of Michael Tilson Thomas. They are institutions joined together forever," said John Goldman, a past president of the Symphony, as per the San Francisco Chronicle.
