Michael Tilson Thomas: Where Now Is, presented as part of PBS’ award-winning American Masters series, documents MTT’s life and career — from his childhood in California to his ascension to the world stage and leadership roles with the New World Symphony and the San Francisco Symphony. The documentary sheds light on formative experiences in MTT’s musical life — the central influence of his father, his first time hearing the music of James Brown, his early clashes with classical music orthodoxy — all of which shaped his personality, artistry, and goals along his path to becoming one of America’s most important musical figures.
Michael Tilson Thomas: Where Now Is
Television premiere: American Masters series
Friday 23rd October 2020 at 9 p.m. Eastern Time
On PBS (check local listings), on pbs.org/americanmasters, and the PBS Video app.
The documentary incorporates concert footage from his youth through the present, performing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony, and San Francisco Symphony, among other orchestras. The film also includes scenes from MTT’s day-to-day life at the New World Symphony, the postgraduate orchestral academy in Miami Beach that he co-founded in 1987 to prepare young musicians of diverse backgrounds for leadership roles in classical music. Most major American orchestras count New World Symphony alumni among their ranks, and several former Fellows were interviewed for the documentary.
Michael Tilson Thomas
Explore his music availlable from Wise Music Classical
Preview
Michael Tilson Thomas on what he learned from James Brown
Michael Tilson Thomas: Where Now Is is a production of SIMON + FILM in association with THIRTEEN’s American Masters for WNET. Susan Froemke and Kirk Simon directed the program. Mina Farbood and Sarah Arison are executive producers. Produced by Catherine Mulry. Michael Kantor is executive producer for American Masters.
