1944 – 2026

Michael Tilson Thomas

American conductor, pianist and composer

music educatorbandleadermusic arrangermusicianpianist

Born

1944-12-21, Los Angeles

Died

2026-04-22

Birthplace state

California

Biography

Michael Tilson Thomas was an American conductor, composer, pianist and music pedagogue. He was music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra from 1971 to 1979. He founded the New World Symphony, an American orchestral academy in Miami Beach, Florida, in 1987, serving as artistic director until 2022 and then as artistic director laureate. Thomas was principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra from 1988 to 1995, and then music director of the San Francisco Symphony until 2020. He conducted a wide repertoire of music, with a focus on the works by Gustav Mahler and of contemporary American music; he was the first to record some works by Aaron Copland, Charles Ives, and Steve Reich. Thomas appeared on television in the Young People's Concerts with the New York Philharmonic and hosted the Keeping Score series. He collaborated with popular artists including Elvis Costello and Metallica.

Occupation

Michael Tilson Thomas is recorded as a music educator, a bandleader, a music arranger, a musician, a pianist, a conductor and a composer, born in California (1944–2026).

Connections to California

Michael Tilson Thomas was born in Los Angeles, California in 1944. Explore other notable figures from California, historic sites connected to this era, and the full colonial and statehood history of the state using the links below.

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More notable figures from California

Other historical figures born in California, ranked by historical prominence.

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Frequently asked about Michael Tilson Thomas

Who was Michael Tilson Thomas?

Michael Tilson Thomas was American conductor, pianist and composer, born in California (1944 – 2026).

When and where was Michael Tilson Thomas born?

Michael Tilson Thomas was born on 1944-12-21 in Los Angeles.

When did Michael Tilson Thomas die?

Michael died on 2026-04-22.

What was Michael Tilson Thomas known for?

Michael Tilson Thomas is recorded as a music educator, a bandleader, a music arranger, a musician, a pianist, a conductor and a composer.

Source

Biographical content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source: Wikipedia.

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