George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein shaped the history of 20th-century dance when they co-founded the company, and under the direction of Peter Martins, New York City Ballet remains dedicated to the preservation of Balanchine's ideals. Renowned for its linear purity, speed, and musicality, the company's unparalleled repertory reflects a perfect unity of musical inspirations and celebrated history.

The engagement includes an all- Balanchine, all-Tchaikovsky program featuring works direct from the company's four-week Tchaikovsky Celebration at Lincoln Center in winter 2013: Balanchine's alternately romantic and supremely classical choreography set to music from Tchaikovsky's third suite for orchestra; his one-act setting of the lyrical and moving psychological dance drama Swan Lake; and the vigorous Allegro Brillante, which Balanchine said contains "everything I know about classical ballet in 13 minutes."

New York City Ballet's second program also features Balanchine's choreography in Vienna Waltzes, an homage to the delights of an age of imperial grandeur, alongside Christopher Wheeldon's salute to Richard Rodgers's Carousel, and Jerome Robbins's standout Glass Pieces, set to the music of minimalist composer Philip Glass.

Jeremy D. Birch is the writer/editor of Kennedy Center News.