璀燦生命之歌寫下終章：麥克‧提爾森‧湯瑪斯的八十歲音樂謝幕

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　　二○二○年卸下舊金山交響樂團音樂總監，成為樂團榮譽音樂總監（Music Director Laureate）後，雖然暱稱為MTT的麥克．提爾森．湯瑪斯（Michael Tilson Thomas）在次年八月接受腦瘤手術並且持續接受化療，可是仍然被醫生診斷為「生命垂危」，預估只有幾個月的壽命，甚至禁止他搭飛機。不過，MTT的病情得到奇蹟似的控制，他放下所有行政職務，在身體條件允許的前提下，專注於被他稱為「更溫和、更安靜」的演出行程，包括舊金山交響樂團在二○二五年四月二十六日為他安排的八十歲生日音樂會。就在音樂會前兩個月，MTT突然公開表示腦癌復發，雖然還有治療方案，但是「預後不確定」，因此他決定在這場演出後，為精彩的音樂事業畫下句點。

　　麥克．提爾森．湯瑪斯出生於美國洛杉磯，祖父是一八八○年代從烏克蘭移民到紐約，後來成為猶太劇場大明星的托馬舍夫斯基（Boris Thomashefsky）。二十世紀初，許多猶太移民為了適應美國社會而把姓名改得更美國化，托馬舍夫斯基的三子把姓氏簡化成「湯瑪斯」（Thomas），MTT就是他的獨子。

　　雖然父親的音感不好也看不懂樂譜，但是他把對音樂的熱情傳給兒子。MTT在南加州大學桑頓音樂學院（USC Thornton School of Music）學習鋼琴、指揮與作曲，在拜魯特音樂節擔任華格納的孫女弗里德琳德（Friedelind Wagner）的助理，以及在美國和史特拉溫斯基、柯普蘭共事則提供實務經驗和創意靈感。一九六九年，二十四歲的MTT替補史坦堡（William Steinberg）指揮波士頓交響樂團一舉成名。這次救火不是一場演出，而是整個樂季剩下的連續三十七場音樂會！隨後MTT被任命為波士頓交響樂團助理指揮，並且在檀格塢音樂節認識伯恩斯坦（Leonard Bernstein）。雖然初期接觸不多，但是兩人的情誼讓外界視MTT為伯恩斯坦的門徒，音樂上的兒子。伯恩斯坦大力提攜MTT的原因除了想起年輕時的自己，還有兩人對猶太劇場音樂的共同興趣。不過有趣的是，MTT的家族雖然有戲劇背景，可是他對於為了劇場技術須求而反複排練的過程感到不耐。因此雖然喜歡與聲樂家合作，但是MTT對於指揮歌劇的興趣不大。

　　MTT的指揮事業重心一直放在美國，先後和布法羅愛樂、紐約愛樂與洛杉磯愛樂合作。在伯恩斯坦的引薦下，他也與越洋的倫敦交響樂團一直保持很好的合作關係；一九九五年起成為舊金山交響樂團音樂總監。二十五年來，他在舊金山交響樂團舉辦多個音樂節推廣美國音樂並且錄製唱片，並製作在美國公共電視網播出，探索著名作曲家的生涯和作品的音樂教育系列節目Keeping Score。他與樂團出版的馬勒交響曲全集錄音，有四張得到葛萊美獎！

　　有兩個樂團雖然不是第一線名團，但是在MTT的指揮生涯必須記上一筆。一是一九八七年與嘉年華郵輪公司（Carnival Cruise Lines）創辦人泰德·阿里森（Ted Arison）在邁阿密一起成立的「新世界交響」（New World Symphony），MTT擔任藝術總監。「新世界交響」是研究生級的管弦樂學院，宗旨在培養未來的樂團音樂家和管理人員。他們提供最多三年的獎學金，為年輕音樂家提供實務經驗，也幫助他們發展職業生涯。樂團學員在這期間能深入接觸傳統和現代曲目，接受專業發展訓練，並得到與前輩合作的機會。根據統計，離開「新世界交響」的校友高達九成從事音樂相關工作，無論是樂團音樂家還是行政人員。第一次腦瘤手術後，MTT把職位交給法國指揮德內夫（Stéphane Denève），自己則擔任榮譽藝術總監。

　　另一個是在二○○八年啟動的YouTube交響樂團。活動由YouTube與Google團隊發起，旨在探索線上音樂合作。MTT加入以後，計畫逐步成形。它利用網際網路的力量集結來自全球的音樂家，應徵者必須上傳演奏譚盾第一號網際網路交響曲《英雄》與另一段影片試鏡，再由專家評審和社群進行評選投票，選出的音樂家於二○○九年在紐約卡內基音樂廳、二○一一年在雪梨歌劇院與MTT舉行音樂會。MTT坦言，一開始他也懷疑音質壓縮、畫面縮小的線上甄試效果，但是實際施行後，他對於音樂家藉此仍能充份傳達情感感到訝異。YouTube交響樂團的演出不僅是音樂活動，還結合直播、互動元素和投影，展現數位時代的多元協作潛力。雖然只舉辦兩屆，可是對古典音樂與現代科技的融合指出新的可能性。

　　為了慶祝MTT在二○二四年十二月的八十歲生日，索尼音樂推出一套八十張，收錄從一九七三到二○○五為RCA、CBS 和索尼音樂錄製的唱片。這套唱片的曲目非常多元，從古典作品、美國現代音樂到百老匯音樂劇與爵士樂。我覺得其中最值得一提的，是一九七六年與哥倫比亞爵士樂隊（Columbia Jazz Band）合作的《藍色狂想曲》。MTT選用蓋希文在一九二五年錄製的紙卷鋼琴（piano roll）為獨奏鋼琴，由他指揮模擬一九二○年代編制的哥倫比亞爵士樂隊，試圖重現蓋希文時代的爵士風貌，讓藉由數位技術復活的蓋希文與現場樂團結合，創造出獨特的歷史對話感。

　　Pentatone也為MTT八十歲生日出版專輯，內容是MTT五十年作曲生涯中的十八首作品。其中的重要作品包括獻給伯恩斯坦的《Agnegram》以及為伯恩斯坦七十歲生日而寫的《Grace》；以安妮·法蘭克（Anne Frank）的日記為靈感寫成的大型作品《安妮日記》（From the Diary of Anne Frank）；為女高音弗萊明（Renée Fleming）量身打造的《埃米莉．狄更生詩集》（Poems of Emily Dickinson），以及二○二二年融合爵士、藍調與美國風情的作品《Upon Further Reflection》。

　　麥克．提爾森．湯瑪斯的一生貫穿了音樂、教育、創作與科技創新的多重面向，他不僅是指揮家、作曲家，更是文化推動者與音樂傳承的重要橋樑。四月二十六日的八十歲生日音樂會後，MTT選擇回歸平靜的家庭生活，和相守近五十年的丈夫（他與多年伴侶於二一四○年結婚）、愛犬相伴，安詳適意的靜待為這段精彩的音樂生命劃下最後的句點。

In 2020, after stepping down as Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony, Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT) was named Music Director Laureate. In August 2021, he underwent brain tumor surgery and continued treatment, with doctors initially predicting only a few months to live and even advising against air travel. However, his condition miraculously stabilized. Letting go of administrative roles, he focused on a "gentler, quieter" performance schedule as long as his health permitted. On April 26, 2025, the San Francisco Symphony will hold a concert for his 80th birthday. Just two months before the event, MTT announced that his brain cancer had returned and, despite available treatments, the prognosis remained uncertain. As a result, he decided this concert would mark the conclusion of his remarkable career.

Born in Los Angeles, MTT came from a family with deep theatrical roots. His grandfather, Boris Thomashefsky, was a star of Yiddish theater. Although his father had no musical training, he passed on his passion for music. MTT studied piano, conducting, and composition at the USC Thornton School of Music. He gained valuable experience working with Friedelind Wagner at the Bayreuth Festival and collaborating with composers like Stravinsky and Copland. His big break came in 1969 when he substituted for William Steinberg to lead the Boston Symphony Orchestra for 37 consecutive concerts, launching his conducting career. He was later appointed Assistant Conductor of the Boston Symphony and became associated with Leonard Bernstein, who mentored and promoted him.

MTT's career centered in the U.S., with key roles at the Buffalo Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, and Los Angeles Philharmonic. Thanks to Bernstein's recommendation, he also maintained strong ties with the London Symphony Orchestra. In 1995, he became Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony, a position he held for 25 years. During his tenure, he championed American music through festivals, recordings, and the educational series Keeping Score. His Mahler symphonies recordings with the orchestra won multiple Grammy Awards.

Two significant projects in MTT's career were the New World Symphony and the YouTube Symphony Orchestra. In 1987, he co-founded the New World Symphony in Miami, a postgraduate training orchestra aimed at preparing musicians for professional careers. The program has produced a high percentage of musicians and administrators working in the field today. After his first brain surgery, MTT stepped down as Artistic Director, passing the role to Stéphane Denève while remaining Artistic Director Laureate.

In 2008, he joined the YouTube Symphony Orchestra project, which used online auditions and social media to bring musicians together for concerts in New York and Sydney. Initially skeptical about digital auditions, he was impressed by the emotional expression conveyed through the format. Though it lasted only two editions, the project demonstrated new possibilities for classical music in the digital era.

To celebrate MTT's 80th birthday in December 2024, Sony Music released an 80-CD box set covering his recordings from 1973 to 2005, showcasing a diverse repertoire from classical and American modern music to Broadway and jazz. One highlight is the 1976 recording of Rhapsody in Blue, featuring a player piano roll of Gershwin himself, blended with a live orchestra to recreate the jazz feel of the 1920s.

Pentatone also released an album featuring 18 of MTT's compositions from his 50-year career. Notable works include Agnegram and Grace, dedicated to Bernstein; From the Diary of Anne Frank, inspired by Anne Frank's writings; Poems of Emily Dickinson, composed for soprano Renée Fleming; and Upon Further Reflection, a 2022 work blending jazz, blues, and American influences.

Michael Tilson Thomas's life has spanned conducting, education, composition, and technological innovation. More than a conductor, he has been a cultural leader and musical visionary. Following his 80th birthday concert, he plans to retire to a peaceful life with his husband of nearly 50 years and their beloved dog, bringing an extraordinary musical journey to a graceful close.

*This English version is a concise summary of the original Chinese article.*

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