Also know as 'Nissi Belzer'. His birth place is uncertain, but most sources agree on his Lithuanian origin. Spivak sang in the choir of Yeruham Blindman in Berdichev. Later, he officiated as cantor in Belz (hence his nickname), Kishinev, and in Berdichev (1877-1906). He was known to have a 'small' voice, due to an accident in childhood that harmed his voice. It was his vocal handicap that led him to develop original synagogue music in which the choir, instead of being merely an accompaniment or used for responses, was assigned lengthy ensembles - with solos and duets - reducing the role of the cantor. Spivak had many pupils who sang in his choir in Berdichev, such as Pinhas Minkowski and Jacob Beimel.
Spivak is considered as a genius in Jewish music, and many of his compositions became famous throughout Eastern Europe and in various Hasidic courts. Especially his compositions for Malchouyot Zikhronot and Shofarot (מלכויות זיכרונות ושופרות), 'Unetane Tokef' (ונתנה תוקף), Tikanta Shabbat (תיכנת שבת) Lechou Neranena (לכו נרננה), and Hashem Melech (ה' מלך).
Sources: Ne'eman, Joshua Leib. 'Nissan Spivak.' Encyclopaedia Judaica; Nulman, Macy. Concise Encyclopedia of Jewish Music.
See also 'Nissan Spivak' at the National Library of Israel website.
