Here are some musings on recording improvisations for recital pieces:
In my daily improvisation practice, I improvise in many different ways. I work on technique, modulation, hand independence, melodic lines, articulation, dynamics, different moods, or playing as freely as possible. I don't keep track of how long I've played and what I'm playing often morphs drastically in one sitting.
When it's time to record I approach my playing differently: I'm thinking about the listener. When I'm recording I try to produce something coherent that is nice to listen to. I try to avoid being too repetitive. I have a timer across the room with big numbers that I glance at occasionally to avoid playing too long.
I turn on the video and the recorder and I play several improvisations. This works differently from several takes of the same piece because each improvisation is different from the others. If I have some ideas in mind for a recording the improvisations may sound somewhat alike but nothing like multiple attempts at recording the same piece.
I find recording improvisations for a recital to be less stressful than recording a piece I've learned. I don't have the haunting "don't mess up thoughts". If I play a note that I didn't intend to play, I may lean into that and play it some more which might take me in a different direction (this happens all the time when improvising). Sometimes a "mistake" can make the improvisation better. Or not, but that's OK because if I record five or six improvisations usually at least one of them turns out well enough to use as a recital piece.
There have been ABF recitals where the piece I was trying to learn isn't ready, and I spontaneously record an improvisation and use that instead. This helps with the pressure of participating in recitals.
I'm interested in thoughts from fellow improvisers on how you think about recording improvisations. For those of you who don't improvise I encourage you to try it out. It's really fun!