12. Orchestral music

This corresponds more or less to симфоническая музыка. Symphonic music is little used by non-professionals, as it has a narrower application than orchestral music, referring only to symphonies, and excluding such works as concertos, suites, etc.

Orchestral work/concert are also used.

13. Chamber music

This corresponds in most cases to камерная музыка. Some chamber music is orchestral, written for a chamber orchestra, but the category also includes works for smaller groups of instrumentalists or vocalists, or soloists.

Chamber work/concert are also used.

Concert, Recital, Evening

14. Concert

Concert generally refers only to music. Therefore if non-musical items are included, it is better in most cases to avoid concert, and use, for example, show or entertainment.

e.g. In the evening the students put on a show/an entertainment.

Concert is used in the following expressions:

concert-goer, concert-going, concert hall, concert ticket, concert programme, charity concert, concert pianist/violinist…, concert repertoire, in concert (e.g. We went to see Cliff Richard in concert at the Palladium.).

The type of concert may be specified, for example:

symphony concert, chamber concert, promenade concert, pop/rock concert, jazz concert

A promenade concert is a type of popular symphony concert in Britain, which takes place every evening for a season during the summer, and where many of the audience stand (which makes the tickets cheaper) and the atmosphere is very informal. Originally the audience even walked about, hence the name, which is French for a walk. Promenade concert is often abbreviated to prom.

e.g. I like going to the proms.

15. Recital

This is the proper name for a concert given by one performer or a small group, with reference to classical music, and is widely used by regular concert-goers. It is often combined with the name of the instrument, or composer, and sometimes the type of work is specified.

e.g. a piano/violin/organ recital

a Chopin recital

a song recital

It is not essential to use recital when there is only one performer or a small group. Concert may be used instead, although it is less common, at least with regular concert-goers.

recital is often the best translation of вечер in such expressions as фортепианный вечер, вечер скрипичной музыки.

recital may refer not only to music, but also to poetry, as in the expression a poetry recital. Poetry evening is possible, though less common.

16. Evening

Evening is little used to denote a concert – recital is often the best translation of вечер in this sense. The expression musical evening exists, but this generally denotes an informal gathering of amateurs, for example, at someone’s home, or at a club. All or most people present perform something, and there is no separate audience. The same applies to poetry evening.