Borodin was a member of the Russian nationalist "Mighty Handful" (or "The Five"), who inherited the spirit of Glinka's Russian nationalism. He was a composer who actively engaged in the field of symphony, a genre that the other four members (Balakirev, Mussorgsky, Cui, and Rimsky-Korsakov) did not often tackle. For this reason, he is sometimes regarded, along with Tchaikovsky as a founder of the symphony in Russia. Born as an illegitimate son of a nobleman, Borodin studied medicine and chemistry in addition to piano, cello, and flute. It is believed that a turning point in his compositional activity occurred particularly during his time in Italy and Switzerland, where he was sent for chemical research, and where he encountered and gradually became drawn to the works of leading 19th-century Romantic composers. He is known as a rare musician who balanced his activities as a chemist and a composer until his death.

This work was composed in 1885, at the age of 52, during the mature period of his late compositional activity. It was published in Saint Petersburg in the same year. After Borodin's death, it was orchestrated by Glazunov (1865–1936) (see also Borodin's Scherzo). Conceived as "A Little Poem of a Girl's Love," it is a kind of program music. Borodin's letters mention the program as: "Under the vaulted ceiling of the monastery, I think only of the dance, I think of the dancers, I think only of the dancers, I dream of a song of love, the happiness of being loved becomes a lullaby, the monastery, sweet dreams."

In the Monastery

Written in 4/4 time, Andante religioso. The music unfolds in a mirror-image structure.

Intermezzo in F Major

This intermezzo, marked Tempo di Minuetto, is referred to in Borodin's letters as "beginning to dream of social life." Chromatic movement is frequently employed. However, in the middle section, marked Un poco meno mosso, diatonic movement predominates.

Mazurka in C Major

Although explicitly in C major, this mazurka frequently changes key signatures. It is primarily written in Allegro, but Meno mosso is indicated in the middle and at the end.

Mazurka in D-flat Major

In Borodin's letters, this is referred to as "dreaming of the dance... and the dancers." In this Allegretto mazurka, the melody is first sung in the bass. Throughout the piece, the melody alternates between the bass and the upper voices.

Dream

In Borodin's letters, this is referred to as "thinking only of the dance, new feelings." It is written in 4/4 time, Andante, and employs polyphonic techniques.

Serenade in D-flat Major

Written in 6/8 time, Allegretto. It begins with an introduction where the sonorities are concentrated in the low register, after which the high register is also utilized. However, the piece concludes with music identical to the introduction.

Nocturne in G-flat Major

In Borodin's letters, this is referred to as "the dream of being loved becomes a lullaby." It is written in 4/4 time, Andantino, and throughout the piece, the articulation is characterized by short slurs over two adjacent eighth notes.