The Authentic Light Orchestra was founded in 2009 by the Swiss multi-instrumentalist with Armenian roots, Valeri Tolstov. His idea is to combine ancient Armenian folk songs and mix them with classical influences, jazz, rock and a touch of electronica to create a new musical form. In this fusion of styles, all of the elements supplement each other harmonically, producing a unique sound and an original interpretation of Armenian folk- the defining musical language of the Authentic Light Orchestra. In 2014, the band won the Grand Prix at the Armvision contest for Best Arrangement and Performance of a Folk song, and in 2016 they received the first Russian World Music Award.