Michael Tilson Thomas: The 2024/25 Season

‘MTT is always a joy to work with. His musicianship is imbued with a great sense of intelligence and humanity.

Michael was the Principal Conductor when I first joined the LSO, and he made a point of introducing himself to me, saying, ‘Hello friend, you’re new. What’s your name?’ Over the years I’ve noticed that he always gets to know new faces amongst the Orchestra, always with the same, ‘Hello friend’. Some of my stand-out memories of Michael’s performances are the Gershwin Piano Concerto – which he directed from the piano – Debussy, Stravinsky and the Mahler symphonies. And his parties! He has thrown such generous, fun parties for the Orchestra over the years, which we so appreciate.

I mentioned Michael’s humanity, and this is a particularly poignant memory for me: soon after my husband Nigel Gomm, LSO Third Trumpet, died, I was surprised to receive a call from San Francisco – it was Michael. He had made time to ring me especially to convey his condolences. Such a human touch, and so typical of him.

We are always so happy to see Michael, and it will be great to revisit Mahler’s Second Symphony with him on this special occasion.’

Belinda McFarlane,
LSO Violin

‘How good it feels to have known MTT for more than 40 years. My first indirect encounter with him was when Olly Knussen played me his performance of part of his (Olly’s) Third Symphony back in 1976. It made me realise at once that here was a very special conductor, and over the years I’ve found his all round musicianship second to none. I became the LSO’s Associate Composer during Michael’s tenure as Principal Conductor, and in 1989 he commissioned Quatrain: the first performance, in Spain, was particularly memorable when a percussion stand nearly collapsed on a player, followed by Michael’s music stand sliding down so that he ended conducting (imperturbably) almost on his knees. The audience was completely won over!

There were several subsequent commissions, with a recording of all of them made in 1995. I also spent some time with Michael in Miami, where it was wonderful to observe his remarkable commitment to the young players of the New World Symphony which he had founded. It was so good to see that he was gradually managing to find more time for composing, and I was involved with the first performance of From the Diary of Anne Frank with the LSO in 1990, which starred no less a narrator than Audrey Hepburn.

So many memorable performances and events to think of, but with the impossible task of singling one out it would have to be his Mahler Five with the LSO two years ago, when is spite of his acknowledged illness he gave the performance of a lifetime, the orchestra playing for him with absolute conviction. What a privilege to know such a musician! And he’s 80? – not possible!’

Colin Matthews,
Composer

‘Happy Birthday Michael and thank you for all the extraordinary music-making over so many years. I shall forever cherish the memories of playing under your inspiring direction across the globe, being part of the accompaniment to your brilliant solo piano-playing, performing your own moving compositions and witnessing your entertaining lectures as an educator both on stage and on television. But you have also always shown great understanding and support to your orchestral musicians and their involved lives, for which we are all so grateful. And many thanks for all the parties you hosted too! The LSO and MTT has always been an alliance based on creative fulfilment and affection. Long may it continue to be so.

With much warmth and admiration, Lennie x’

Lennox Mackenzie OBE,
Former LSO Sub-Leader and Chairman