Michael Tilson Thomas has announced that he will conclude his distinguished tenure as Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony in June 2020, marking 25 years with the organization.

Following the 2019/20 season, MTT will assume the title of Music Director Laureate, continuing to conduct the orchestra for at least four weeks each season and working with the organization on special projects. Ahead of his 25th anniversary season as Music Director, the coming years will feature new recording projects, festivals, commissioning of new works, staged productions, a two-week tour of the US in 2018/19, and a three-week European tour in 2019/20.

“Looking back over these decades,” says MTT, “I am filled with gratitude for the extraordinary artistic partnership I have had with the members of the Orchestra and for the warm and generous style of music making we have shared with all of our audiences. Having been a Music Director of an orchestra for most of my adult life and as I approach my 75th birthday, I feel this is an appropriate moment to set aside some of my administrative responsibilities and begin a new period of creative possibilities. Fortunately my new and unique relationship as Music Director Laureate of the San Francisco Symphony will allow me to continue to work with my esteemed colleagues for years to come on projects close to my heart.”

Read more at The New York Times and The San Francisco Chronicle