A piano recital is a solo performance where a pianist plays alone throughout. Piano recitals may involve works from just one or a number of different composers;  or a recital may be an exploration of a thematic relationship such as, Fin de Siècle Vienna, or American Music of the 1930s and 40s. Sometimes it features composers the performer finds interesting to juxtapose, like Bach and Stravinsky or Mozart and Prokofiev. Live solo recitals often offer some new insights due to the repertoire selected or the juxtaposition of composer’s voices, comments about the music shared by the performer, or the excellence of the playing. 

Usually a piano recital lasts between 75-90 minutes, often with an intermission.

Audience members preparing for a solo recital might listen to the pieces ahead of time, listen to other works by the composer or other composers of the same period, learn about the composer’s history and musical significance, or simply come with an open mind and readiness to listen.