Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov, student of Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, graduated from the St. Petersburg conservatory in 1885.
He secured for himself the directorship of the orchestra of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, and spent up to seven years learning about Georgian folk music.
[1] It is dedicated to I. Pitoéff, at that time President of the Russian Musical Society on Tiflis.
This orchestral suite consists of four movements, namely: The suite begins with a vibrant piece, In a Mountain Pass, which is characterized by a steady ambitious beat suggesting the steep Caucasus Mountains.
The most famous and admired portion is the final piece, Procession of the Sardar, a Persian title for a military commander, leader or dignitary.