S.F. Symphony sending Tilson Thomas off in style with online celebration.
Michael Tilson Thomas started the San Francisco Symphony’s 2019-20 season with a party — a gala opening night concert that welcomed a starry roster of artists, dignitaries and friends. If all had gone as planned, Davies Symphony Hall would have seen similar celebrations this month, with music fans gathering to cheer the conductor as he concludes his historic 25-year tenure as music director. Coronavirus restrictions put an end to those plans. But the symphony is still honoring Tilson Thomas in the only way possible right now. “MTT25: An Online Tribute,” which runs through June 28, will stream dozens of events from Tilson Thomas’ directorship. It’s an exciting lineup of archival performances, artistic projects, guest appearances and special events, with close looks at musical relationships and collaborations. With new content released daily, it promises a fascinating look back at one of the orchestra world’s leading music directors, one whose wide-ranging interests have yielded a quarter-century of programs. Tilson Thomas has shaped the symphony’s seasons around those interests. Since his inaugural 1995-96 season, he’s shared his passion for American music, introduced new works by living composers, and taken audiences on in-depth explorations such as the symphony’s multiyear Mahler recording project. His theatrical roots have yielded unforgettable festivals (American Mavericks, anyone?) and immersive semi-staged performances. He’s also brought many of the world’s top composers and performers into close collaborations — artists including Audrey Hepburn, John Adams, Steve Reich, Meredith Monk, Emanuel Ax and Yuja Wang, to name a few, and vocalists Audra McDonald and Susan Graham, who will host the “MTT25” finale on June 28. The event features tributes and performances by a starstudded guest list of friends and musical colleagues. Each day of “MTT25” will focus on a specific season in the conductor’s tenure. Here are some of the events and daily broadcasts and streaming specials to watch for. Most of the content is free, though donations are encouraged.
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Each day through June 28, the symphony will release a live recording from its audio archives, one from each season of Tilson Thomas’ directorship. These will be available for streaming for the first time. Find them at SFSymphony.org/MTT25.
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The Bay Area radio station will air live broadcasts and interviews with Tilson Thomas from his home, hosted by Rik Malone, 3 p.m. daily through June 28; KDFC-FM 90.3 San Francisco, 104.9 San Jose, 89.9 Napa, 103.9 Monterey, and kdfc.com.
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Leave messages and tributes to Tilson Thomas on the virtual Memory Wall; go to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and use the hashtags #MTT25, #MTTXXV.
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The symphony releases a video recording of “Whistle Tune,” a song Tilson Thomas composed in March while sheltering in place at his home. Inspired by a tune he used to whistle with his father, Ted, the video was performed remotely by symphony musicians who are also sheltering in place. Find it June 21 at YouTube.com/SFSymphony.
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The symphony releases “From the Diary of Anne Frank and Meditations on Rilke,” composed by Tilson Thomas and recorded live at Davies Hall in 2018 and 2020, with performances by mezzo-sopranos Isabel Leonard and Sasha Cooke, and bass-baritone Ryan McKinny. Includes commentary by Tilson Thomas and live performance footage. Available for purchase June 17 in 5.1 surround-capable Super Audio CD format, and for download and streaming on June 26; www.sfsymphony.org/ Discover-the-Music/SFS-Media.
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Ryan McKinny joins Isabel Leonard for an episode of her “Isa Live Chat” series on Instagram Live. Both artists are featured on the new album of Tilson Thomas compositions and are featured on the 2018 SFS Media release of Bernstein’s “Arias and Barcarolles.” Available after June 26 on Isabel Leonard’s YouTube channel.
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TrOMAS >> Hosted by Audra McDonald and Susan Graham, this virtual event features stillto-be announced performances and tributes. It takes place 5 p.m. June 28; YouTube.com/ SFSymphony.