Ep 7. Michael Tilson Thomas: Where Now Is
- October 23, 2020
For season 34 episode 7 of American Masters, viewers are taken into the life and career of renowned classical music conductor and composer Michael Tilson Thomas. Titled "Michael Tilson Thomas: Where Now Is," the episode delves into his journey from a young boy with perfect pitch to becoming a multiple Grammy Award winner.
The episode explores Tilson Thomas' family background, including his grandparents, who were musicians and his father, who was a dancer and movie star. Tilson Thomas' early exposure to music and the arts would have a significant impact on his future. He would go on to study music at various institutions, including the University of Southern California and the University of California, Los Angeles.
His talent and hard work would eventually lead him to be appointed as the music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, a position he held for eight years. During his time there, Tilson Thomas made a name for himself by disrupting the usual practice of the orchestra and introducing new material and working closely with young composers.
The documentary covers the highs and lows of Tilson Thomas' career, including the establishment of the New World Symphony, with which he has been associated since 1988. He speaks about his experience with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, where he was the music director from 1995 to 2020, and the growth of his audience outreach program, Keeping Score, which aims to make orchestral music more accessible to the public.
A significant part of the episode is dedicated to Tilson Thomas' achievements as a composer. Viewers are treated to some of his works. Tilson Thomas speaks candidly about the challenges and joys of being a composer and the creative process behind his work. He also talks about his friendship with composer Aaron Copland and his experience conducting the works of Igor Stravinsky.
Throughout the episode, archival footage, interviews with Tilson Thomas' family and colleagues, and backstage glimpses paint a vivid picture of his journey. Multiple big names in the music industry, including Lang Lang and Itzhak Perlman, provide insights into Tilson Thomas' unique talent, vision and his undeniable impact on classical music.
The documentary concludes with a reflection on Tilson Thomas' legacy. Viewers are left with a sense of awe at the man's significant contribution to the world of music and his undiminished passion for classical music. The American Masters' season 34, episode 7 is a must-watch for anyone interested in classical music, music history or the story of a creative genius who never stopped learning and growing.
