Tributes flood in for San Francisco Symphony leader Michael Tilson Thomas

• Michael Tilson Thomas died at age 81 following a battle with glioblastoma.
• He led the San Francisco Symphony for 25 years and won 12 Grammys.
• His death follows the passing of his husband, Joshua Robison, in February.
  

The global music community is in mourning following the death of Michael Tilson Thomas, the esteemed conductor, composer, and pianist, who passed away on Wednesday.

The 81-year-old maestro died at his home in San Francisco surrounded by loved ones, five years after being diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Despite his diagnosis in 2021, the artist known affectionately as "MTT" remained remarkably committed to his craft, continuing to conduct and mentor young musicians until the final stages of his illness.

Thomas’s career was defined by his transformative leadership of the San Francisco Symphony, where he served as music director for a quarter-century.

Under his guidance, the orchestra achieved worldwide acclaim, earning 12 Grammy Awards and multiple international honours.

Beyond the podium, his legacy is anchored by the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, which he co-founded to nurture future generations of orchestral talent.

In a touching tribute, the New World Symphony stated, "It is with great honour and responsibility that we carry MTT’s pioneering and generous spirit forward together."

His passing marks the end of a profound era in classical music and follows the death of his husband and lifelong partner, Joshua Robison, who died in February 2026 at the age of 79.

The pair had been partners for over fifty years and married in 2014. As tributes continue to pour in from figures such as Michael Bearden and various arts organisations, the San Francisco Symphony has announced that upcoming performances of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in June will be dedicated to his memory.