MUSIC

Michael Tilson Thomas will take over the London Symphony Orchestra for the 1988-89 season, the Buffalo News reported, becoming one of the few conductors born and trained in America to become music director of a major European orchestra. The conductor will succeed Claudio Abbado, who has assumed musical direction of the Vienna State Opera. Thomas, 42, was music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra from 1970 to 1979, and served as principal guest conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1981 through the 1984-85 season.