Michael Tilson Thomas

Biography

Michael Tilson Thomas (December 21, 1944 – April 22, 2026) was an American conductor, composer and pianist. He was artistic director laureate of the New World Symphony, an American orchestral academy in Miami Beach, Florida, music director laureate of the San Francisco Symphony, and conductor laureate of the London Symphony Orchestra. He gave his final performance with the San Francisco Symphony in April 2025 while fighting brain cancer.

Movies & TV Shows

1. Metallica and San Francisco Symphony: S&M2 (2019) — Self
2. Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story (2018) — Self
3. Great Performances (1971) — Self
4. Soundbreaking (2016) — Self
5. Carnival of the Animals (1976) — Self - Conductor
6. Leonard Bernstein Centennial Celebration at Tanglewood (2018) — Self - Conductor
7. Keeping Score: Beethoven's Eroica (2006)
8. London Symphony Orchestra: Shostakovich 5 (2015)
9. Michael Tilson Thomas: The Thomashefskys (2012)
10. Rehearsing a Dream (2006) — Self
11. Keeping Score: Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 (2009)
12. Keeping Score - Mahler Origins and Legacy (2011) — Conductor
13. Bad Boy Made Good: The Revival of George Antheil's 1924 Ballet Mécanique (2003) — Self - Conductor
14. John Adams: A Portrait and A Concert of Modern American Music (2000) — Self
15. Keeping Score: Stravinsky's Rite of Spring (2006)
16. Keeping Score - Hector Berlioz Symphonie fantastique (2009)
17. Keeping Score: Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4
18. Keeping Score: Stravinsky Rite of Spring (2006) — Narrator
19. Michael Tilson Thomas: Where Now Is (2020)
20. Steve Reich: A New Musical Language (1987) — Self
21. Keeping Score: Mahler Legacy (2011) — Narrator
22. Keeping Score: Mahler Origins (2011) — Narrator
23. Masterclass (2010) — Self
24. Keeping Score (2004) — Self – Host

Directed

1. Keeping Score - Hector Berlioz Symphonie fantastique (2009) — Director