San Francisco Symphony to host tribute concert for Michael Tilson Thomas

The San Francisco Symphony will hold a tribute concert on October 2, 2026, to honor the memory of conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, who passed away on April 22, 2026. Thomas maintained a profound connection with the orchestra for 52 years, serving as music director from 1995 to 2020 and conducting nearly 1,800 concerts.

During his tenure, the orchestra expanded its international presence and emphasized American music and contemporary compositions. Notable achievements included the creation of SFS Media, the 'Keeping Score' educational project, and a Mahler recording series that earned seven Grammy Awards.

The tribute program at Davies Symphony Hall will feature works by composers closely associated with Thomas, such as John Adams, Leonard Bernstein, and Aaron Copland. The evening will include two world premieres: 'Constancy', a solo piano piece by Tilson Thomas performed by John Wilson, and 'If you listen, there’s a song' by Mason Bates. Teddy Abrams and Edwin Outwater will alternate conducting duties, with soloist Yuja Wang performing works by Barber and Poulenc.