What a great way to do recitals! Whooo. How I wish my piano teacher had used that approach.
I remember (I was in the 4th grade) being so nervous, I started crying when my mother spotted a little hole in my sock that I was wearing (we wore white socks and black patent leather shoes - along with my skirt and blouse - the skirt with the crenalins under it).
I also remember while playing Theme from Liebestraum (spelling? and not sure of the title) - that I got stuck in the middle of it and had to start over - but nobody noticed - and I made it through. After that experience, however, I said I did not ever want to have that possibility happen again and that was it for piano. I have always regretted not continuing those lessons. Thanks for renewed hope that I can recover that joyful skill.
Here is MY Piano recital Experience:
My Piece was “Fur Elise” by Beethoven.
My Piano at home was a Steinert Spinet, with lovely action, and I could play the piece perfectly.
My teacher rented an Eleven Foot Concert Grand Piano for the Recital.
The action was SO STIFF (it had to be, I guess for such a BIG piano), that I had to POUND every key to make it even make a sound. So much for a nuanced performance.
I quit lessons the next day (at the age of 10) and continued to teach myself piano and guitar.