In the first half of the 19th century, Russian composers began to show an interest for the music of the Orient. Then, at the very beginning of the century, the Caucasus became open for visits. Not only composers, but also poets and painters were impressed with its exoticism, and the notion "Orient" included not just the Arab East, but the Caucasus as well. In terms of style, its nature, traditions, music and dances were literally overwhelming. The Caucasus inspired many of the works of the Russian culture of the 19th century.
The territorial proximity of the Caucasus to Russia, close associations with the culture and arts of the Caucasus, including the works by Alexander Pushkin and Mikhail Lermontov, and, mainly, visits of Russian composers such as Mikhail Glinka and Mily Balakirev to the Caucasus – all that were reasons why orientality found its fullest development and expression in the Russian music as compared to the other European music cultures.
