Polachek, Sender

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POLACHEK, SENDER

POLACHEK, SENDER (also known as Sender Minsker ; 1786–1869), Polish cantor. Born in Gombin, Polachek received instruction from Cantor Nahum Leib Weintraub, brother of Solomon *Weintraub. For over 30 years Polachek was cantor in Minsk (hence his additional name) and became famous for his melodic gifts. Having no knowledge of musical notation, he committed none of his works to writing, but he achieved an original style which deeply affected his hearers and which became known as the "Sender Steiger."