Tschaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2 (ballet)

Tschaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2, originally called Ballet Imperial, is a ballet in three movements made by New York City Ballet's co-founder and founding choreographer George Balanchine for his earlier company, American Ballet Caravan, to the version of Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 2, originally composed in 1879–80, but later revised by Alexander Siloti.[1] The ballet was given a preview performance on 29 May 1941 at the Little Theater of Hunter College in New York City. The premiere took place on 25 June 1941 at Teatro Municipal, Rio de Janeiro.[2]

The Ballet Imperial was first staged for New York City Ballet by Frederic Franklin on 15 October 1964 at the New York State Theater, Lincoln Center.[3] Balanchine restaged it in 1973 with its current title.[4] Traditional tutus and scenery in the grand Russian style were used through the 1964 NYCB revival; since 1973 it has been danced with chiffon skirts designed by Karinska and without scenery. Balanchine said that the ballet is "a contemporary tribute to Petipa, 'the father of the classical ballet,' and to Tschaikovsky, his greatest composer." [5]