Fresh Air Remembering symphony conductor Michael Tilson Thomas
May 1, 2026
Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor and composer who led the San Francisco Symphony and founded the New World Symphony, and John Powers, film critic offering a review segment. They recall Tilson Thomas' theatrical family roots, his TV series Keeping Score and approach to conducting, and a reflection on his influence and rhythmic insights. A short film review of The Devil Wears Prada 2 follows.
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Conducting Is Directing Musicians
- Michael Tilson Thomas compares a conductor to a theater director who helps musicians appear and feel their best.
- He advises clarifying ensemble balance and encouraging risks like being quieter or more aggressive to serve the music.
Making Classical Music Accessible
- Keeping Score presented classical works informally, mixing history, explanation, and performance to reach general audiences.
- Tilson Thomas used commentary plus the San Francisco Symphony performance to demystify pieces like Beethoven's Eroica.
Composing With Audrey Hepburn As Muse
- Tilson Thomas composed From the Diary of Anne Frank for Audrey Hepburn to recite while the orchestra played.
- A 1990 Oslo performance paired Hepburn's narration with orchestral motifs representing jackboots and hope.