Conductors: When Calamity Knocks

One of music’s finest old traditions is that young conductors must make their debuts only when calamity strikes the maestro and leaves the podium bare. Last week at the Holland Festival in Amsterdam, Viennese Actress Paula Wessely had a nervous breakdown and Russian Cellist David Rostropovich had a heart attack, setting the emotional stage for the illness of Conductor Paul Sacher, scheduled to lead the Dutch Chamber Orchestra. Aging Conductor Pierre Monteux, 88, promptly appeared on the scene with his protégé in his pocket. “My pupil,” said Monteux, “he’s great. He reminds me of my own youth.” New York’s David Zinman, 26, a violinist at seven and a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory, then took the podium for his grand debut. In classic style, he gave an impressive performance. Flagged on by a bouquet of consistently cheering reviews, his career was off and running.