Celebrating 20 years at the helm of the San Francisco Symphony, Michael Tilson Thomas has held posts with the London Symphony Orchestra and founded the New World Symphony in Miami. He has recorded extensively for DG, RCA and the SFS’s own label.

A tribute by members of the LSO:

‘The LSO was always swashbuckling. And Michael helped us channel those energies! He saw the bigger picture – that people needed to work together more – and the LSO made some good decisions with him.’ (Andrew Marriner, clarinet.) ‘Many people talk about breaking down barriers between the listener and the performer and finding new avenues. But Michael has done it! He’s made it all happen. MTT is in his element sharing music with people.’ (David Alberman, second violin.) ‘How he communicates is amazing. At rehearsals he always says hello to everyone. And if you are a new face he always says: “Hello friend. What’s your name?” and finds out about them. That’s so refreshing.’ (Belinda McFarlane and Maxine Kwok‑Adams, violinists.)

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