Shortly after the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia united to form the Principality of Romania, a musical piece by Eduard Hübsch, an army captain and general inspector for military music in Romania, was written in honour of the ruling Prince. Known then as the “Marş triumfal” (Triumphant March) it was without words until 1881 when Romania became a kingdom. The lyrics were written by Vasile Alecsandri, considered one of Romania’s great national poets. He was a figure in the 1848 revolution and later in the 1859 union of Moldavia and Wallachia. It was used until the deposition of the monarchy on December 30, 1947.

The Romanian composer George Enescu quoted this anthem in his “Poème Roumain”, op. 1; in performances of Enescu’s work during the communist era, this piece was edited out. After the end of the communist regime, this piece was once again played in Enescu’s work.

Special thanks to: Pavel Zinovatny, Adrian Vexler and Cristian Balan for some of this information.