Pierre Pinchik

Pierre Pinchik (Yiddish: פינחס פינטשיק Pinkhas Pintshik, Russian: Пьер Пинчик P'yer Pinchik; 1893–1971), born Pinchas Segal, was a famous Hazzan from the period of the Cantorial golden age. He was also a composer of cantorial and Yiddish music and a singer of Yiddish folk songs. He especially known for his versions of Rozo D'shabbos and Ribono Shel Olom.

Biography Early life Pinchik was born Pinchas Sigal in Novozhyvotiv, Vinnytsia Oblast, then part of the Russian Empire. Various dates are given for his birth year including 1897, or 1900. However, on most US government documents it is listed as March 16, 1893. As a youth he attended a Yeshiva of the Skverer Hasidim, where he was exposed to cantorial music. During that time a teacher in his Yeshiva observed his excellent singing voice and urged him to take piano lessons. His Rozo D'shabbos in particular has been said many times to have caused a minor revolution in cantorial style. He also continued to take an interest in adapting Yiddish poems to song: I.L. Peretz, H. Leivick, A. Lutsky and others were among his favourite sources for material.

In 1937 he became a naturalized US citizen.

Pinchik did not take on a permanent posting at a synagogue in the United States, preferring to perform in various synagogues, halls and temporary spaces around the country as needed. For a number of years, he officiated at the K'nesset Israel Nusah S'fard in Chicago.

He was not strictly Orthodox, though he led prayers for many Orthodox congregations.