But a large symphony orchestra basically is a repertory company and it has a very enormous repertoire and it is important for the performers to be able to know how to shift focus so that they instantly become part of the sound world that a particular repertoire demands.

1976 Conducting the Cleveland Boys Choir and Cleveland Orchestra Chorus performing Orff: Carmina Burana. 2003 Conducting the San Francisco Symphony performing Mahler: Symphony No. Quotations
Responding to an interviewer's question about favorite composers:


Awards
Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance
2013 Conducting San Francisco Symphony performing Adams: Harmonielehre & Short Ride in a Fast Machine
2006 Conducting San Francisco Symphony performing Mahler: Symphony No.

Michael Tilson Thomas (born December 21 1944) is an American conductor pianist and composer.