Michael Tilson Thomas has announced he is scaling back his concerts after announcing that a tumor has returned.

The conductor took to social media and said, “Three years ago, I wrote to tell you that I’m battling Glioblastoma. The three and a half years since the initial diagnosis have been a special time in my life, filled with friends, family, and music. They have also been challenging, as I had to undergo a second operation and manage complications from the treatments that have held the tumor at bay. My doctors have informed me that the tumor has returned. We continue to work with the superb group at the UCSF Brain Tumor Center. There are treatment options, but the odds are uncertain.”

He added, “Joshua and I are in San Francisco with the pups, and we take occasional jaunts to Bolinas. Our home is filled with memories of a full life. There’s a keyboard on each floor and occasionally a piece by CPE Bach, Mozart, Brahms, Schumann, a Broadway melody, or one of my own tunes seem to emerge. Sometimes I can share these moments. Other times I find my own personal peace and solace.”

“Now is the time to wind down my public appearances. During the past year, I had the opportunity to come full circle with musicians and orchestras I hold most dear. My work with the London Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic was very special. In March, I have concerts planned with the New World Symphony and, on April 26, the San Francisco Symphony is celebrating my 80th birthday. At that point, we all get to say the old show business expression, ‘It’s a wrap.'”

He concluded the statement by noting, “A ‘coda’ is a musical element at the end of a composition that brings the whole piece to a conclusion. A coda can vary greatly in length. My life’s coda is generous and rich. Life is precious.”

Back in 2021, Tilson Thomas was diagnosed with Brain Cancer and had surgery resulting in the cancelation of engagements with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the New World Symphony, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He later returned in November of 2021. In March 2022 he stepped down from his post as Artistic Director of the New World Symphony due to his current medical condition. In 2023 he had a second surgery.

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