MTT at Google
November, 2008
Photo by Lisa Hirsch
One of the many things we're sighing over here in the Bay Area is the cancellation of so much of Michael Tilson Thomas's last season as music director of the San Francisco Symphony. Over his 25 year tenure, he's conducted a lot of interesting music, some of it new; helped a few careers out; hired a lot of good players. I have complained about plenty, including the fossilization of repertory, with the same five or six composers represented as new and exciting over a long period; the lack of works composed by women, Black people, indigenous people, and other people of color; and the lack of works by local composers (unless you're named Adams or Bates)(former assistant principal violinist Mark Volkert had a couple of pieces performed over the years as well.
Lots to complain about, lots to celebrate, and some hope that the repertory will change under incoming music director Esa-Pekka Salonen (I still shake my head in amazement at that phrase, yes, I do).
In any event, SFS has put together a nice online tribute that's unfolding one day at a time. It starts with MTT's first season and each day an additional season is highlighted. Start with 1995-96 and keep clicking through.
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