Richard Pennycuick wrote:

>At one of the Hoffnung Festivals, Walton was introduced to conduct an
>excerpt from Belshazzar's Feast.  Applause, anticipation, hushed audience.
>Walton conducted the choir shouting the single word, "Slain!", and the
>advertised excerpt was over.

Which he did with a fly swatter instead of a baton.  You had to be there.
(I wasn't, I hasten to add.)

Tony Duggan, England.
Mahler recordings survey:
http://www.musicweb.uk.net/Mahler/index.html