🎀 Cute Composer Series: World Cancer Support Month — The Same Diagnosis, Different Journeys 🎗️✨🎶 Steven Stucky (1949–2016) was one of the most widely performed American composers of his generation — resident composer of the LA Philharmonic for over 21 years, Pulitzer Prize winner for his Second Concerto for Orchestra, faculty at Cornell for 34 years, and a beloved mentor to generations of American composers 🎼✨ In November 2015, he was diagnosed with glioblastoma — grade IV, the most aggressive form of brain cancer. He had brain surgery on December 2, 2015. His wife Kristen's statement after his death said: "My greatest love lost his hard-fought battle with brain cancer on February 14, 2016." Valentine's Day 💔 He was 66. Michael Tilson Thomas (1944–2026) was one of the most celebrated conductors in American history — music director of the San Francisco Symphony for 25 years, founder of the New World Symphony, 12-time Grammy winner, and a blazingly alive musical presence whose energy seemed immune to time ⚡🎼 In 2021, he was diagnosed with glioblastoma — the same disease that took Stucky. But MTT conducted anyway. He led the NY Philharmonic, the LA Philharmonic, orchestras across Europe. In 2025, he wrote to his supporters: "Three and a half years since the initial diagnosis have been a special time in my life." He conducted his final concert on April 26, 2025 — his 80th birthday celebration — and said: "At that point, we all get to say the old show business expression: 'It's a wrap.'" He died April 23, 2026. 👉 Which one's music do you want to explore more? VOTE BELOW👇& follow @daixcompose for more Cute Composer spotlights 💙 Recordings: 🎶 Steven Stucky: Silent Spring — orchestral tone poem Performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, cond. Manfred Honeck https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXIW4C7NWQs&list=PLUizl8fsUvKJcUKN2e4J2RoQuRmBGqzvc&index=7 🎶 Michael Tilson Thomas: Street Song - Center City Brass/Chandos Records/November 1, 2004 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uL80REW_bU
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