Michael Tilson Thomas set to ‘wind down’ public appearances

American conductor-composer Michael Tilson Thomas has announced that he will be ‘winding down’ his public appearances following the return of a tumour in his brain.

In a statement published yesterday, Tilson Thomas confirmed that, three and a half years after he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, the tumour in his brain has returned and, while ‘there are treatment options… the odds are uncertain’. He confirmed that his almost sold-out 80^th birthday concert with the San Francisco Symphony will be his final performance.

In his statement, Tilson Thomas writes: ‘Now is the time to wind down my public appearances. During the past year I had the opportunity to come full circle with musicians and orchestras I hold most dear. My work with the London Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic was very special. In March I have concerts planned with the New World Symphony and, on April 26, the San Francisco Symphony is celebrating my 80th birthday. At that point we all get to say the old show business expression, "It's a wrap”.’

As well as founding and directing Florida’s New World Symphony Orchestra, Michael Tilson Thomas is the music director laureate of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, and conductor laureate of the London Symphony Orchestra.

In closing his statement, Tilson Thomas writes: ‘A "coda" is a musical element at the end of a composition that brings the whole piece to a conclusion. A coda can vary greatly in length. My life's coda is generous and rich. Life is precious.’