Michael Tilson Thomas, the charismatic American conductor, composer and educator who transformed the San Francisco Symphony into a global force, championed contemporary and American music, and reached new audiences via television and digital channels, has died aged 81.

Tilson Thomas died at home on April 22, 2026, surrounded by family and friends, according to a statement released by his representatives. He had been diagnosed in 2021 with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer. Through his illness, he continued to perform, compose and communicate with audiences.

Michael Tilson Thomas. Photo © Art Streiber

For more than five decades, Tilson Thomas stood among the most influential figures in classical music. A conductor of electric energy and intellectual curiosity, he combined a deep respect for the symphonic tradition with an evangelical commitment to new music, education and outreach.

Born in Los Angeles on December 21, 1944, he studied conducting and composition with Ingolf Dahl at the University of Southern California. Early in his career he worked with towering 20th-century figures including Igor Stravinsky and Aaron Copland, formative encounters that helped shape his advocacy for modern American composers.

His international breakthrough came in 1969 when,...