BREAKING | Michael Tilson Thomas to Step Down as Music Director of San Francisco Symphony

It has been announced today that conductor Michael Tilson Thomas is set to step down as Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony in June 2020

It has been announced today that conductor Michael Tilson Thomas is set to step down as Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony in June 2020.

The 2019-2020 season will mark both his 75th birthday and his 25th year leading the ensemble.

Following 2020, Maestro Tilson Thomas will assume the title of the orchestra’s 'Music Director Laureate' - and will continue to conduct the ensemble a minimum of 4 weeks each season.

MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS | TCHAIKOVSKY | SYMPHONY NO. 4 | 4TH MVT | SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY 

“Michael Tilson Thomas embodies the personality and the spirit of San Francisco … serving for excellence in all that he does, creative and curious in nature, inclusive of all … and adventurous in his thinking," Symphony President Sakurako Fisher has said.

“Looking back over these decades I am filled with gratitude for the extraordinary artistic partnership I have had with the members of the orchestra … and for the warm and generous style of music making we have shared with all of our audiences,” MTT has said.

“Having been a Music Director of an orchestra for most of my adult life and as I approach my 75th birthday, I feel this is an appropriate moment to set aside some of my administrative responsibilities and begin a new period of creative possibilities.”

MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS | TCHAIKOVSKY | SYMPHONY NO. 4 | 4TH MVT | SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY