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Michael Tilson Thomas (06/11/1985)

July 3, 2026, 11:00 pm

Black and white photo of Michael Tilson Thomas conducting

Michael Tilson Thomas (Photo: Vahan Stepanyan)

This week and next, the Best of Studs Terkel remembers Michael Tilson Thomas (1944–2026), the beloved and deeply admired American conductor, who died earlier this year. Tonight, MTT’s conversation with Studs Terkel, from 1985. Their discussion includes the young maestro’s interest in the American composers Gershwin, Ives, and Ruggles, all of whom he knew personally.

Meet the Host

Studs Terkel (1912-2008) radically redefined the concept of radio interviews. For 45 years starting in 1952, WFMT was his homebase. His daily radio show was a pillar of WFMT’s programming, with its eclectic and astute mix of music and conversation. Studs juxtaposed interviews with the many of the 20th century’s most significant figures with the voices of uncelebrated, working people from Chicago. As a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Studs helped established oral history as a popular and socially ambitious literary genre. Some of his titles include: Division Street, Hard Times, Working, Race and And They All Sang (Adventures of an Eclectic Disc Jockey). Studs was also a recipient of the National Book Award.

Through the Night with Peter van de Graaff

Through the Night with Peter van de Graaff

Michael Tilson Thomas (06/11/1985)