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Prunes? What's with them?Life in general: I am not understanding this topc of prunes that comes up whenever Mr. Brivati comes on and posts. Not that that's a bad thing-quite the contrary. I am just curious.
Brian
From Laurie Niles
Ah, youth.
Posted on May 29, 2008 at 04:36 PM From Hannah Wright
i've been wondering the same thing.
Posted on May 29, 2008 at 04:43 PM From al ku
brian, you should really get this word or concept down before you take the SATs, or risk getting pruned.
Posted on May 29, 2008 at 04:43 PM From Mattias Eklund
If ya'all knew Buri a bit better you would understand why he takes them. Posted on May 29, 2008 at 04:44 PM And understand that he takes them... From Laurie Niles
Violinists are sometimes known for being, well, a bit anal-retentive. Prunes are quite literally the cure for this physical malady.Posted on May 29, 2008 at 04:44 PM Or it might just be all about our violin pedagogue friend, Simon Fischer. But I highly doubt that! From P. Trouvé
Thanks for asking, I was wondering the same, since a while, but did not dare ask.Posted on May 29, 2008 at 04:57 PM So Mr. Buri maybe you can explain for those of us, who are .... in the dark, or should we take prunes? cheers! From Rob Olsen
Carefull Brian, too many prunes can mess up your G string,
Posted on May 29, 2008 at 05:02 PM From jake bush
My understanding was that it was symbolic for doing something which is not perhaps enjoyable in itself, but is done for greater purposes.Posted on May 29, 2008 at 05:03 PM Scales, for example, while not usually played for pure enjoyability, serve the purpose of building technique. Just as prunes aren't eaten for flavor so much as their function. From al ku
that sounds like a new indication:)
Posted on May 29, 2008 at 05:05 PM From Corwin Slack
The history of prunes is forgotten by all but a very few of us and it is better that way.
Posted on May 29, 2008 at 05:10 PM From Marc Bettis
When life hands you lemons-throw ´em in a quart of vodka.
Posted on May 29, 2008 at 05:41 PM From Stephen Brivati
Greetings,Posted on May 29, 2008 at 10:55 PM prunes are outside the realm of verbal explanation. Once grasped at theri most profound level you may leave the temple. In tyhe meantime Laurie`s explanation may suffice. Cheers, Buri From Erica Thaler
OK....now you all have me craving prune danish!!!!!Posted on May 30, 2008 at 12:40 AM Erica From Mara Gerety
OMG prune paczki.
Posted on May 30, 2008 at 12:44 AM From Yixi Zhang
Prune Shiso Maki, Prune Bi Bim Bap, and Moroccan Chicken Prune Tagine!
Posted on May 30, 2008 at 01:04 AM From Emily Grossman
A little prune in your pumpernickel...
Posted on May 30, 2008 at 04:24 AM From Charles C
Oh my god, Laurie, maybe I'm just weird but I thought the Simon Fischer link was hilarious beyond belief!
Posted on May 30, 2008 at 04:48 AM From Stephen Brivati
it`s a basic food, but eating it without pulling faces takes practice.
Posted on May 30, 2008 at 05:01 AM From Anthony Barletta
C'mon, someone please spill the beans - how did the whole prune thing get started? Inquiring minds (of anal-retentive violinists) want to know! Pretty please...
Posted on May 30, 2008 at 05:12 AM From Stephen Brivati
Greetings,Posted on May 30, 2008 at 05:33 AM when you are young you will value things like good looking babes, homeruns, Ferraris and home brewed beer. As old age creeps up on you a good bowel movement becomes a thing of beauty. Cheers, Buri From Laurie Niles
So Buri, you don't mean to say that Simon Fischer has nothing to do with it?
Posted on May 30, 2008 at 05:59 AM From Stephen Brivati
Greetings,Posted on May 30, 2008 at 06:32 AM I have a rare first edition of `Basics` in which there is a chapter on Bow weight, bowel speed and sound points. The latter don`t bear a great deal of discussion inthis context. Cheers, Buri From Christian Abel
The Norwegian term for a short, sweet piece of music, á la a nice Kreisler piece, is a "sviske". Sviske = prune.
Posted on May 30, 2008 at 06:46 AM From Drew Lecher
Tony,Posted on May 30, 2008 at 12:26 PM Aren't the Basics: Technique of Beans rather crude in tone, whereas Prunes……they contribute so extremely well…… legatissimo de prugne. Buri is obviously the most lyric of players and determined that we truly emulate his passion. Bow Strokes From Sander Marcus
Hey, I can't let this discussion go by without adding my two cents worth:Posted on May 30, 2008 at 12:50 PM If you stick enough prunes into your f-holes, you're soundpost won't droop. A prune a day keeps the doctor away. Two prunes a day keeps two doctors away [paraphrasing Cookie Monster] P - Posting Buri's fiddling is always in tune, :) Sandy From Rae-ann Heinrich
au contraire. I think prunes are DELICIOUS and wish I could (safely) eat more than 1 or 2 at a time! They've just gotten a bad rap (rep) beause of their association with (essential) private bodily functions.
Posted on May 30, 2008 at 01:17 PM From Yannick Hourmand
The capital of prunes is Agen in France and prune in french is pruneau: "les pruneaux d'Agen".Posted on May 30, 2008 at 02:41 PM There is a lot of delicious recipes with prunes, one of them is rabbit with prunes "Lapin aux pruneaux" absolutly delicious, my favorite. From Anne Horvath
I found this Hungarian recipe that originally calls for apricots, but I bet prunes would be just as nifty:Posted on May 30, 2008 at 03:31 PM Prune Cream 1/2 cup prunes Cook the prunes, and press through a strainer. Dissolve the gelatin and sugar in the lemon juice over hot water. Blend with the prune pulp. Chill in fridge until jelling starts, about 45 minutes. Then fold prune mixture into whipped cream and chill until time to serve. 6 servings. From Corwin Slack
The true story of prunes:Posted on May 30, 2008 at 04:03 PM About the time that Brivati-Sensei first joined v.com there was an acrimonious exchange between two v.com members. One suggested that the other could overcome her characteristic tendency to be a scold with a healthy dose of prunes. My first recollection of Brivati-Sensei was his reaction to that comment. He has been prunalific ever since. The two original adversaries don't post here any more, at least not using the same names. From Teresa Colombo
Buri.......... and for some when old-age creeps up the opposite is true ... oh to be able to eat a bowl-full of prunes without having the bowl full umpteen times the next morning!!!!!!!!! What about people who can't take prunes, eh? What about the minorities and equal representation, eh?? Posted on May 30, 2008 at 04:29 PM Disgruntled Terri From Jon O'Brien
The very very first time I ever landed in the midst of a violinist.com discussion thread, having just found it on Google, there was Buri embroiled in some discussion with someone over prunes and violins. That was my introduction to this website. I was amused and interested to read more....
Posted on May 30, 2008 at 04:55 PM From Mattias Eklund
Corwin, Close but Buri-Waka was a member long before that incident. And but of those members are ocationally dropping by, but not as often.
Posted on May 30, 2008 at 04:54 PM From Carol Cook
Hmmm, prunes as leavening...
Posted on May 30, 2008 at 04:55 PM From al ku
besides the flowing effect, prune has high iron content. for those who are prune to feel anemically tired after practicing only 10 hours a day, prune intake may boost hemoglobin production and productivity:)
Posted on May 30, 2008 at 05:04 PM From Ray Randall
Back in the 1960's a ballet dancer ate a few prunes and went out later to a nightclub.Posted on May 30, 2008 at 06:43 PM Suddenly she had the urge to visit the loo which, unfortunately, had a long line. While impatiently waiting in line she started jumping around in pain, but being a professional dancer her frantic antics in line attracted a lot of attention as kind of a new dance form. Then more and more people drifted over to watch her jumping around and liked the new dance idea. Then and there she became the first ever Go Go Dancer. And now you know "The Rest of the Story." From Erica Thaler
Well, I was inspired to make orange-prune bran muffins... delicious!
Posted on May 30, 2008 at 08:16 PM From Sander Marcus
As a violinist you can get suedPosted on May 30, 2008 at 09:36 PM For playing Bach in the nude. But eating prunes could be worse, With their olfactory curse. Do naked Bach plus prunes, and you're screwed. From Tim C
Months back I used the search function on V.com to find the oldest mention I could of 'prunes' to see how that started. It returned 23 pages of results (just repeated that search)that were not sorted by age. After reading 3 pages of prunish advice I concluded that it would forever be a mystery, stretching back into the dim mists of antiquity.Posted on May 31, 2008 at 01:21 AM Why didn't I think of just asking???? From Laurie Niles
Sander, how about:Posted on May 31, 2008 at 01:28 AM P - Posting But then I'm not sure that's true... ;) I'm so proud of everyone for taking potty humor to this elevated level; it's what V.com is all about. It makes my eyes mist over... A haiku to the prune, anyone? From Gary LaCom
I remember early on, if not the first time viewing v.com then soon after, trying to follow a series of exchanges between Buri and someone that centered around prunes. Couldn't follow it at all except to figure it had to be an inside joke. I'm glad to finally be enlightened. Or perhaps, having had a few prunes myself a little earlier, just bit lighter.
Posted on May 31, 2008 at 02:32 AM From Carol Cook
Dew spanglely prune,Posted on May 31, 2008 at 03:13 AM unaccountably pruning. From Ray Randall
Prune Haiku:Posted on May 31, 2008 at 03:17 AM A pond lay quiet and still in the forest. A prune was eaten. Plop. From Mara Gerety
Hmmm...talking about the good old v.com days...a haiku tribute to Then and Now:Posted on May 31, 2008 at 03:57 AM The board is different-- Yeah, I'm not gonna give up my day job, but... From Charles C
A prune turns round andPosted on May 31, 2008 at 08:41 AM yellow like a banana. Anxiety concert. From Anne Horvath
Re: Pun
Posted on May 31, 2008 at 11:25 AM From Sander Marcus
P - PerhapsPosted on May 31, 2008 at 12:05 PM R - Real U - Ubermenschen N - Notate E - Ecchy S - Sayings Give me a bucket of prunes, A prune in my hand [OK, now that's art, with a capital "F"] :) Sandy From Rev. Edwin Perez
Brian, thanks for having fortitude in starting this thread. It's been entertaining as well as enlightening :)
Posted on May 31, 2008 at 04:13 PM From Bruce Patterson
.... and artistic!
Posted on May 31, 2008 at 09:30 PM From Erica Thaler
Don't you love that there are almost 50 responses on this site about PRUNES!??? Hee Hee. too funny.
Posted on June 1, 2008 at 12:26 AM From Jim W. Miller
With chudman and filimstar it was always the same post; have I got a bow for you, or person x is an insult to the universe. THe one I miss is Linda Blair, or whatever her name was.Posted on June 1, 2008 at 01:14 AM From Jon O'Brien
I remember her. She used to spit.
Posted on June 1, 2008 at 01:45 AM From Mike Harris
As Frank Zappa expressed so well in "Duke of Prunes" (from the album Absolutely Free):Posted on June 1, 2008 at 02:10 AM And so my love From Mara Gerety
Jim, you mean the famous Evil Linda? I think she's still lurking...Posted on June 1, 2008 at 02:47 AM Say what you will about "Chudman" et al, the old days certainly had a more colorful cast of characters. Remember? Emil's manifestos (and culinary digressions), Gennady's schmoozing and bow-hawking, Ilya's wisecracks, Pieter's oddly comedic repartee with Ilya, Buri's bewildered prunish asides, Mr. Steiner's stories about Milstein, Sander's borscht-belt jokes and witticisms.....now it's just a handful of us sad schleps wasting time and trying to keep things interesting when we should all be practicing. From Jon O'Brien
Oh, I thought you meant someone else. I have this memory of a very fiery member but I'll say no more. She might come back. I do miss Emil and Gennady and various other old salts, even though Emil tried to sock me a few times too many. Too much ducking and weaving and counter-parrying.
Posted on June 1, 2008 at 04:08 AM From Laurie Niles
No, Linda is a sweetiepie. Just evil in a cool way!
Posted on June 1, 2008 at 05:04 AM From Yixi Zhang
I second Mara 100%. I especially miss Emil and Sung Duk among others. Also haven't seen postings from Igor Yuzefovich and Raphael Klayman for some time. With those guys around, together with all the great ones still sticking around as Mara mentioned, discussions were definitely held at a different level. What a pitty.
Posted on June 1, 2008 at 06:30 AM From Jon O'Brien
We still have you Yixi!
Posted on June 1, 2008 at 08:09 AM From Deborah McCann
As my last official concert of the season is this afternoon, I took a break to see what was on the site, and found this wonderful topic :) I am enjoying all the fun!! One thought, Mozart would have entered in on this one. So we are not without greatness. Reading his letters for my masters was a real insight to this topic of prunes.
Posted on June 1, 2008 at 12:26 PM From Jon O'Brien
Bach would wonder at the fuss, and get back to scratching down notes in ink with his quill pen, Beethoven would probably frown, and head out the door to go to the coffeehouse, Schubert would blush and look down at the piano keys, but yes, Mozart would have loved it.
Posted on June 1, 2008 at 01:09 PM From Sander Marcus
OK, to add another borscht-belt thought, how indeed would the great composers have responded to the fabled prune? I have a modest contribution to this reverie, after which I, too, need to return to practicing:Posted on June 1, 2008 at 02:04 PM - Mozart: Eine Kleine Nachtprune And, bearing no relationship to the topic whatsoever: Have a great Sunday. From Sander Marcus
How could I have forgotten this one:Posted on June 1, 2008 at 03:15 PM - Gershwin: Crapsody in Blue From Jim W. Miller
Don't you worry about a colorful cast of characters. That Hilary Hahn woman will be in here soon. She's starting to relax a little, seems like.Posted on June 1, 2008 at 08:23 PM From Laurie Trlak
Ooh, prune kolacky!Posted on June 2, 2008 at 10:03 PM Actually, this has me wondering: Am I the only one here who actually LIKES prunes? From Mara Gerety
Oh, I used to like them...then I joined v.com. Kolacky sound marvelous though...Posted on June 2, 2008 at 10:46 PM There's also this great way of preparing pork chops that my mom does (might be a Czech recipe, actually, come to think of it) with prunes and dried apricots...the mix of savory and sweet all together--YUM! Oh look, v.com's become a culinary site again. Sorry! :) From Bob Annis
What's not to like about prunes?
Posted on June 3, 2008 at 03:09 AM From al ku
strange that by now prune merchants have not approached v.com as sponsors to tap the untapped market:)
Posted on June 3, 2008 at 03:19 AM From Bernadette Hawes
Here in Poland they make prunes by drying them out in a smoke house. If done badly they're like cinder, horrible. But done well, they're soft, juicy with a lovely oaky smokey smell and flavour. Heavenly. Might not be as healthy as California dried-in-the-sun but hey... Posted on June 3, 2008 at 07:18 AM I've used them to make a stuffed pork roll roast - to die for. Even added them to cookies. Freshly baked, they're heavenly. And all that sugar in the cookies balances the other effect so you don't spend the next morning in the small room. Just remembered - got some in the fridge. Need my iron fix. From Anna Vrankar
Well my mom makes really good prune hamantaschen.
Posted on June 24, 2008 at 01:23 AM From Tim C
What is hamantaschen?
Posted on June 24, 2008 at 01:43 AM From Ronald Mutchnik
I answer your query about "hamantaschen" by way of a limerick:Posted on June 24, 2008 at 07:17 AM A pastry in the shape of a hat, Worn by Haman, it's a tri-cornered one at that In Ancient Persia he was prime minister, Wanted all Jews killed which was quite sinister But was hanged, got his just "desserts" , the dirty rat! From Anne Horvath
I got a big bag of fresh plums this week, picked off a plum tree growing in my student's yard. They are small, but juicy and sweet. There is NO WAY these plums are going to get dried out and turned into prunes. Mm.Posted on June 24, 2008 at 09:07 PM Life is good. From Stephen Brivati
'This Is Just To Say'Posted on June 24, 2008 at 10:31 PM I have eaten and which Forgive me From Laurie Niles
We absolve you, Buri.
Posted on June 24, 2008 at 11:41 PM From Ronald Mutchnik
"so sweet and so cold". Buri you are quoting (knowingly or not) from a Louis Armstrong classic, "St. James Infirmary"Posted on June 25, 2008 at 02:20 AM "I went down to the St James infirmary From Stephen Brivati
Greetings,Posted on June 25, 2008 at 04:06 AM I think Armstrong was actually quoting William Carlos Williams who wrote the original. One of the most beautiful poems about virginity ever written. Cheers, Buri From Stephen Brivati
although there is a much better poem about prunes from the same source...Posted on June 25, 2008 at 04:57 AM munching a prune on They taste good to her You can see it by Comforted Cheers, From Alain Lefebure
Prescribing prunes for years, Buri has been a visionnary since scientists recently brought to light the most powerful antioxydant properties of prunes.
Posted on June 25, 2008 at 07:28 PM From Ruth Kuefler
Here here! I propose that violinist.com establishes an annual Prune Award, given to the most wise and creative contributor to the site. Buri, of course, gets the first one. :)
Posted on June 25, 2008 at 08:12 PM From Brian Hong
Wow-I completely forgot about this thread. How interesting. I just came back from camp and remembered it, so I looked it up. Posted on July 1, 2008 at 12:29 AM Nice answers everybody. I have a feeling there is still a dark secret behind Buri and his anal-retentiveness. We need a full time analyst/private eye to find out all the secrets of prunes. The Chosen One. From Stephen Brivati
Greetings,Posted on July 1, 2008 at 12:57 AM your blog was a great read. I am glad to see you are doing so well. Time for a little romance...? With prunes of course, Cheers, Buri From Carol Cook
Those who are one with the Prune cannot, by deffinition, be anal retentive.
Posted on July 1, 2008 at 12:59 AM From Jon O'Brien
"Prunes do not conCERN me, Admiral" (voice tremulously reverberates) ".....I WANT that ship"Posted on July 1, 2008 at 02:30 AM "Errr, yes Lord Vader, it's just that I had this plate of prunes I thought you might like...err, Yes, Lord Vader (backing out of the throne room, quickly, then turns and runs as he reaches the door, spilling the prunes everywhere on the floor...) From Terez Mertes
What a funny thread. Sandy wins the poetry prize (goodness, what did you drink with dinner tonight?), but many, many contenders for sheer entertainment and/or informational value.Posted on July 1, 2008 at 04:08 AM I find it interesting that they are now called dried plums on the bag. (And I buy them by the bagful - five a day, every day, since forever.) And I find it even more interesting to note that the bag of them I bought last week had both "dried plums" and "prunes" written on it. What, did the "prune is a good name too" folks come in and argue? Get the fat, plump ones. Good snack food. |
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