Michael Tilson Thomas led the 25th season opening, at a gala chaired by Nicole Lacob and Rachel Bowman.

The San Francisco Symphony’s always stylish Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas nears retirement at the end of the 2019-20 season. The Mahler expert, acclaimed for his Keeping Score TV series, will maintain a home in San Francisco with his husband, Joshua Robison. After a successful gala opening in Sept., we caught up with the maestro...

Why now?

This is the right time to move on from this role. There are many musical associations and projects that I am exploring. And, for the first time since I was 25 years old, I took September off to travel. How great is that?

What are you most proud of?

The orchestra is now a more virtuoso and fearless ensemble.

Tell u about the gala?

Opening night celebrated relationships. San Francisco has been welcoming and generous to me ever since the first day I visited as a child. It has allowed me and Joshua to be a part of this remarkable community in the fullest and richest sense.