The ebullient Allegro Brillante, George Balanchine once said, "contains everything I know about the classical ballet — in thirteen minutes." The ballet is set to a single movement by Tchaikovsky, the planned first movement of his never-completed third piano concerto. Choreographed in 1956, Allegro Brillante demonstrates the dramatic possibilities inherent in pure dance when coupled with the Russian romanticism of Tchaikovsky’s score.

The ballerina, as well as her cavalier and counterparts in the corps de ballet of 8 dancers, must possess the technical command to meet the challenges of speed and precision contained in the choreography. Yet at the same time demonstrate complete freedom of movement – abandon and passion. The effect is dazzling.