This post goes out especially to my friend Rebecca, who specifically requested it.

I don't pretend to be an expert in anything, especially classical music. However, I do love the San Francisco Symphony! I love everything about it: people dressing up and going out for an evening of beautiful music, the incomparable Davies Symphony Hall, the gifted musicians and... Michael Tilson Thomas, music director and conductor of the San Francisco Symphony.

Michael Tilson Thomas, music director and conductor of The San Francisco Symphony

Last night I got a ticket to see MTT conduct the French classics and I was lucky enough to score a seat behind the orchestra, so I was able to look down and see all the musicians below me and MTT facing me. I think the terrace seating is the best in the house.

He conducted Ravel's Rapsodie Espagnole (1907), Debussy's Premiere Rapsodie (1911) with clarinet soloist Carey Bell and Fantaisie (1889-90) with piano artist Jean-Frederic Neuburger, and Berlioz's Scenes from Romeo et Juliette, Opus 17 (1840).

One of my favorite parts was watching Neuburger's hands flutter across the keyboard of the massive grand piano. His hands looked like excited butterflies chasing each other across a meadow. It was amazing!

If you want to check out their awesome podcasts, click here.