I. B. Arnstein

Jewish-American composer ((born Itzig Arenstein April 12, 1879 in Letishev, Russian Empire [modern Letychiv, Ukraine] – died September 13, 1956 in New York, NY, USA) Arnstein came to the United States in 1891 where he first settled on New York's Lower East Side. He studied piano at the Scharwenka Conservatory in New York City, then served as piano accompanist for Nellie Melba on a tour. In 1899, he published his first work for piano, "A Mother’s Prayer." Arnstein wrote more than eighty compositions, including an opera, "The Song of David" (1925). His song "Soldiers of Zion," intended as a Jewish national anthem, was recorded in 1918 for Columbia by Cantor Joseph Rosenblatt. Arnstein is best known for suing Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Broadcast Music, 20th Century-Fox and many others for alleged copyright infringement. He was unsuccessful in every single case.