Pierre Pinchik

Pierre Pinchik [Pinchos Segal] (1893-1971)

Born in Zhivitov, in Kiev in the Ukraine, as Pinchas Segal, he attended Yeshiva there, and then went on to the conservatory where he studied piano and voice. In his early days he was a folk singer and, sponsored by the anti-religious Soviet government, and adopting the name Pierre Pinchik, he travelled around the country giving concerts. From 1923 to 1926 he served as Chazan to the Leningrad Shul, but without fanfare.

In 1927 he went to America and, attracted by the freedom that was denied his fellow-countrymen under the Bolsheviks, he decided to remain there.

It was not long before he was celebrated as both a Chazan and an outstanding performer of folk-songs, many of which he recorded.

Pinchik was endowed with a very sweet and distinctive voice. It was not a 'great' voice in the traditional sense, but he had the unusual ability of singing everything with his heart. There is also an originality about his compositions that makes them immediately recognisable as his work.  Unusually, Pinchik accompanied himself on the organ on some of his early recordings.

Pinchik's most famous compositions are as fresh today as they were when he first introduced them to the public.

His Ribono Shel Olom for Sefiras ho'Omer (with its recurring theme of Dee, da-da-da,  Dee, da-da-da,  Dee, da-da-da, Daa)  and his Rozo D'Shabbos are perhaps, the most famous, and they are, without doubt, classic pieces. But there are others that are just as appealing. Areshes Sefoseinu, for Rosh Hashono and Hashem Hashem from Neiloh illustrate supremely well how he could interpolate the style of a folk-melody into Tefillah or, with the most uncomplicated Chazanut, rend your heart in two.

I've heard it said that he was a very temperamental performer, even on the Bimah, and would refuse to conduct a service if there was the slightest sound coming from the congregation. He would wait until there was total silence before starting and would stop immediately if there was an interruption. Perhaps today's Chazanim could take a lesson from him!

Although there are still fine Chazanim today, perhaps Pierre Pinchik represented the last of the Golden Age of Chazanim, the last true composer/performer who could pull in the crowds, whether to hear him lead a service or concertise.

We are fortunate that a number of his recordings were made at a time when the technical ability to reproduce the voice accurately had improved enormously. Thanks to this, countless generations will still be able to thrill to this unique talent.

Rabbi Geoffrey Shisler

[78RPM]

Av Horachmim (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik Victor 8-81682 1928

Der Furman (Pinkhos Jassinovsky) Pierre Pinchik Victor 68933 1927

Der Khazn Un Der Gabay (Pierre Pinchik) Mikhail Alexandrovitch Krasnoe selo 075Г 1963

Dos Kind Ligt In Vigele (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik Victor 8-68976 1928

Haneovim (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik Victor 8-81682 1928

Ma Noimar Pierre Pinchik Victrola 9511 1929

Noo, Noo! (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik Victor 68933 1927

Rozo De Shabbos (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik Victor 8-59020 1928

Sfiroh (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik Victrola 9302 1928

Shlof Kindele (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik Victor 8-68976 1928

[33RPM]

Av Horachmim (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik Famous Records HG-101

Av Horachmim (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik Menorah MEN-213

Der Furman (Pinkhos Jassinovsky) Pierre Pinchik Collectors Guild CG 622 1962

Der Khazn Un Der Gabay (Pierre Pinchik) Mikhail Alexandrovitch Melodija 33Д-012064 1963

Der Khazn Un Der Gabay (Pierre Pinchik) Mikhail Alexandrovitch Collectors Guild CG 648 1966

Dos Kind Ligt In Vigele (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik Collectors Guild CG 622 1962

Haneovim (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik The Greater Recordings GRC 146 1969

Ma Noimar Pierre Pinchik Famous Records HG-101

Ma Noimar Pierre Pinchik Menorah MEN-213

Ma Noimar Pierre Pinchik The Greater Recordings GRC 146 1969

Noo, Noo! (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik Collectors Guild CG 622 1962

Rozo De Shabbos (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik Famous Records HG-101

Rozo De Shabbos (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik Menorah MEN-213

Rozo De Shabbos (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik The Greater Recordings GRC 146 1969

Sfiroh (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik Famous Records HG-101

Sfiroh (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik Menorah MEN-213

Sfiroh (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik The Greater Recordings GRC 146 1969

Shlof Kindele (Pierre Pinchik) Pierre Pinchik Collectors Guild CG 622 1962

Last update 10-04-2012