Michael Tilson Thomas, Famed Conductor, Dies at 81 After Brain Cancer Battle

Michael Tilson Thomas, famed conductor and scion of Yiddish theater, dies at 81

One year ago, Michael Tilson Thomas lifted his baton to conduct a concert in San Francisco that he said would be his last. The scion of Yiddish theater and luminary of contemporary classical music had been diagnosed with a recurrence of brain cancer, and he knew his days were numbered. “We all get to say the old show business expression, ‘It’s a wrap,”” he said on his website after conducting Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 with the San Francisco…

Michael Tilson Thomas and the Loss of a Cultural Bridge

My connection to Michael Tilson Thomas was personal. He was a larger-than-life figure in my home long before I ever saw him conduct. Some of my family had worked in the Yiddish theater and had known the Thomashefskys—his parents and grandparents. I grew up hearing the stories. When I ended up at Stanford for college, I was beyond excited by the chance to finally hear him lead the San Francisco Symphony. After graduation, I kept finding my way ba…

Grammy-winning star dies at home after devastating brain tumour battle

Legendary musician Michael Tilson Thomas, a leading American conductor for a half-century, has died at his home the age of 81, his representative has confirmed

Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas dies after brain tumour battle

Michael Tilson Thomas, a leading American conductor for a half-century who headed orchestras in Buffalo, Miami, London and San Francisco while also composing, has died aged 81

‘Bad boy of classical music’, conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, dies at 81

Former child prodigy Michael Tilson Thomas led many of the world’s top orchestras, including 25 years with the San Francisco Symphony.