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Michael Tilson Thomas, the renowned conductor, composer, and educator who shaped the San Francisco Symphony into a world-class institution during his 25-year tenure, passed away on Wednesday at his San Francisco home. He was 81 years old.
Thomas had publicly shared his diagnosis of a brain tumor in 2021 and revealed in 2022 that he was battling glioblastoma multiforme, a particularly aggressive form of brain cancer.
His leadership as music director of the San Francisco Symphony from 1995 to 2020 marked the longest in the orchestra’s history. Under his guidance, the ensemble won 12 Grammy Awards and gained widespread acclaim for its technical precision and musical depth.
Priscilla Geeslin, chair of the symphony’s board, expressed deep admiration for Thomas’s legacy: “Michael Tilson Thomas brought brilliance and a unique voice to the orchestra that redefined its artistic identity. Beyond the podium, his warmth and generosity made him a treasured friend and integral part of San Francisco’s cultural fabric. Even after stepping down, his influence remained a guiding light.”
Born in Los Angeles on December 21, 1944, Thomas hailed from a theatrical family with roots in Yiddish theater. He began piano and oboe studies early, eventually pursuing conducting at the University of Southern California, where he worked with legendary composers including Igor Stravinsky and Aaron Copland. Leonard Bernstein also became a mentor and friend in Thomas’s early career.
Thomas’s professional journey began with the Boston Symphony Orchestra as assistant conductor in 1969, where he gained valuable experience. He later served as music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic from 1971 to 1979 and maintained a vibrant guest conducting career throughout the 1980s across the U.S. and Europe.
In 1987, Thomas co-founded the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, a training orchestra that has nurtured hundreds of emerging musicians. He was instrumental in the development of the New World Center, a Frank Gehry-designed facility opened in 2011, and served as artistic director of the orchestra until 2022.
Thomas’s long-standing relationship with the London Symphony Orchestra began in 1988 as principal conductor, eventually becoming conductor laureate. He was also closely connected to California’s Ojai Music Festival, serving as music director multiple times.
When Thomas assumed the San Francisco Symphony’s music directorship in 1995, he inherited an orchestra already on solid footing but transformed its sound and repertoire through his visionary programming. He was known for championing American composers and expanding the orchestra’s reach through innovative projects such as the “Keeping Score” documentary series and the establishment of the orchestra’s own recording label.
Throughout his career, Thomas made over 120 recordings and was celebrated for his interpretations of both classic and contemporary works. In 2017, he announced his retirement from the San Francisco Symphony to explore new creative opportunities, including composing. His compositions were performed widely, including a UNICEF-commissioned work narrated by Audrey Hepburn.
Thomas’s personal life was marked by a nearly 50-year partnership with cellist and educator Joshua Robison, whom he married in 2014. Robison passed away in early 2026.
In his final years, Thomas continued to conduct, culminating in farewell performances with several orchestras, including the San Francisco Symphony in early 2024. His last public conducting appearance was in April 2025 during a special concert celebrating his 80th birthday.
Michael Tilson Thomas leaves behind a profound legacy in American classical music, remembered both for his extraordinary artistry and his deep commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians. He is survived by his sisters-in-law, flutist Paula Robison and Deborah Robison.