Michael Tilson Thomas has died at the age of 81, reports the Los Angeles Times.
One of the defining figures of musical life in the United States, Tilson Thomas was widely admired for his dynamic interpretations and commitment to modern and American music. He served as music director of the San Francisco Symphony from 1995 to 2020, a tenure that transformed the orchestra into one of the world’s leading ensembles. His work earned numerous accolades, including multiple Grammy Awards.
Tilson Thomas was also a passionate pedagogue and leaves behind a legacy of making classical music accessible and engaging to wider audiences. In the 1980s, he co-founded the New World Symphony academy, an orchestral training program where he mentored generations of young musicians.
