The State Anthem of the Moldavian SSR was the regional anthem of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, a constituent republic of the Soviet Union. Originally, the anthem began with the words, "Moldova cu doine străbune pe plaiuri" and was composed by Ștefan Neaga, with lyrics by the poets Emilian Bukov and Bogdan Istru (Ivan Bodarev) in 1945. Ivan Bodiul, the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Moldova, authorized composer Eduard Lazarev to modify the anthem in a "Musical Renovation". (Second Edition of the Anthem). The lyrics were rewritten, removing all references to Joseph Stalin. The music was also altered, removing the original three-stanza structure in favor of a single-stanza three-part structure. The beginning words of the anthem were changed to "Moldova Sovietică". History In 1945 Ștefan Neaga wrote the melody for the Anthem of the Moldova SSR, and the poets Emil Bukov and Bogdan Istru created the lyrics. The composer and the writers then won the first prize of a national musical contest in the Soviet Union, where composers from Moldova and other Soviet republics presented their works. E. Bukov remarked on how demanding and self-critic Ștefan Neaga was. He composed dozens of variants for the anthem, each time being dissatisfied. Neaga said that the anthem had to be composed so when a person hears it, he would stand up filled by a deep patriotic sentiment. The anthem they created was highly appreciated by musicians, becoming the main song of the country for over 45 years. Through this musical work, Neaga became the eternal pride and joy of the Moldavian people. Moldova Socialistă remarked on the anthem, "Moldavian SSR's anthem is one of the best creations of this genre. Adopted in 1945, it entered for three and half decades in our republic's symbolism". Moldovan politician and historian Valeriu Passat [ro] stated in his exhibition, "13 ani de Stalinism. RSS Moldovenească în anii 1940–1953" (13 Years of Stalinism, Moldavian SSR in years 1940–1953) that Iosif Mordoveț [ro] forced the authors to write the anthem. In the only instrumental recording of the Moldavian SSR national anthem, made by the Brass Band of the USSR Ministry of Defence in 1968, the original version made by Neaga in 1945 can be heard. It is a typical Soviet republic anthem with three stanzas and three choruses. According to Vladimir Poțeluev, this anthem was created by an order made by the Supreme Soviet in Moscow,