I am greatly saddened to learn of the death of MTT. He was a wonderful conductor, an eloquent promoter for classical music. He produced a superb cycle of the Mahler symphonies and was in charge of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra for some 20 years. He produced a great idiomatic West Side Story recording and championed much American music. He did great work with the LSO as well.
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Very sad to hear this. I know he stopped conducting a little while back, so I guess there was a reason. My impression was that he was one of the youngest of the ‘old guard’ so makes me feel a little old to have that impression! A lot of fine recordings and perhaps more importantly, very few poor ones. His Copland is a go to (better for me than his mentor, Bernstein), but also some unexpected gems; Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev. I heard him conduct the LSO many times at the Barbican. Always impressive and thoroughly enjoyable. RIP MTT.
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Very sad indeed. He had brain cancer (something he disclosed in 2021). Very very sad.
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His Mahler 9 with CSO liver performance has been etched into my mind and so far noone surpassed it. He was one of my fave living conductor and really sad to see him go. 
Gramophone has a tribute to MTT on their website. RIP
Michael Tilson Thomas obituary: legendary conductor and composer
Quite a genius.
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How sad. Never saw an interview with him where he didn’t come across as a very pleasant person who loved sharing music with people.
I think my favourite disc of his is this:
The speed Gershwin takes RiB at is quite terrifying if one is used to, say, Bernstein’s version.
Mind you, this is still, to my mind, the definitive recording of OTT:
Great SQ, too!
Mark
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