MTT Lovefest

Michael Tilson Thomas

Davies Symphony Hall, SF

January 26, 2024

Photo by Lisa Hirsch

Michael Tilson Thomas conducted Mahler's 5th symphony with the San Francisco Symphony last week, 50 years, more or less, after his first concert with the orchestra, in which he conducted Mahler's 9th. The concert represented a full circle, a mission completed, an acknowledgement of where MTT and SFS are right now.

As I expect anyone reading this knows, MTT was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2021, and the following year he disclosed that it's glioblastoma multiform, an aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis. That he's still here and still conducting is a marvel. SFS has announced that these are his last subscription concerts, leaving open the possibility of a spontaneous addition to the schedule in the future, if MTT remains able to conduct.

The concert was very much a lovefest and tribute to MTT, as much as it was a concert that he led. The audience gave him a standing ovation when he came on stage and a standing ovation at the end of the concert. In the right-hand terrace, a couple of fellows in rainbow garb unfurled a handmade sign saying "We Love MTT". 

Damn right we do. This 50-year relationship, which included many guest appearances before, and a few after, his amazing 25 years as music director, has been an incredibly fruitful one. His leadership did a great deal to make the orchestra what it is today, building on the work of Herbert Blomstedt to make it one of the country's and world's great orchestras.

The Mahler I heard on Friday night wasn't the best I've heard from MTT - the symphony was on the slow side, could have used more tension, and had loose ensemble at points - but it didn't matter. We were there for Michael Tilson Thomas, and so glad to hear Mahler from him, very possibly for the last time.

• Joshua Kosman, SF Chronicle; a most beautiful tribute
• Rebecca Wishnia, SFCV
• John Rockwell, FT (paywalled)