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Embrace the evening with serene classical music

Wind down from the day with a calming classical soundtrack presented by musician and mindfulness expert Niall Breslin.

Wind down from the day with a calming classical soundtrack presented by musician and mindfulness expert Niall Breslin.

We'll hear three hours of soothing music by composers from Paul Mealor, Ludovico Einaudi and Nitin Sawhney to Dorothy Howell, Jean Sibelius, and Claude Debussy. Plus, we'll learn how cuddling up is scientifically proven to help you relax with science podcaster Caroline Steel, while Michael James Wong teaches us to take time out and shift our focus to the external.

To listen on most smart speakers, just ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Wind Down.

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3 hours

Last on

Last Saturday 18:00
BBC Radio 3 Unwind

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Music Played

  • Erik Satie

    Gymnopedie No 1 (arr. for ensemble)

    Music Arranger: Ryan Linham. Ensemble: New European Ensemble.
    • Halidon.

  • Leo Brouwer

    An Idea

    Performer: Zsófia Boros.
    • En Otra Parte.
    • ECM New Series.
    • 5.

  • Paul Mealor

    Beneath Thy Comion

    Ensemble: Apollo5.
    • Beneath Thy Comion.
    • VOCES8 Records.
    • 1.

  • Christian Janssen

    Role model

    Performer: Christian Janssen.
    • Role model.
    • Piano Mosaic.
    • 1.

  • Ennio Morricone

    Deborah's Theme (Leone suite)

    Performer: Luca Pincini. Performer: Gilda Buttà.
    • Absolutely...Morricone II.
    • Da Vinci Classics.
    • 5.

  • Frederick Delius

    Spring morning

    Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Conductor: David Lloyd-Jones.
    • Delius: On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring.
    • Naxos.
    • 3.

  • Trad.

    Ae Fond Kiss

    Performer: Mhairi Hall. Music Arranger: Mhairi Hall.
    • Airs.
    • Mhairi Hall.
    • 08.

  • Jeanne Danglas

    L'amour s'eveille

    Performer: Florestan Raës. Performer: Clara Germont.
    • Danglas: L'amour s'éveille.
    • Nouvelle Vague Records.
    • 1.

  • Richard Strauss

    Violin concerto in D minor, Op 8 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Renaud Capuçon. Orchestra: Wiener Symphoniker. Conductor: Petr Popelka.
    • Richard Strauss.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
    • 2.

  • Ludovico Einaudi

    Jay

    Performer: Ludovico Einaudi.
    • Jay.
    • Decca (UMO) (Classics).
    • 1.

  • Dorothy Howell

    2 Pieces for muted strings - No 1

    Orchestra: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Teresa Riveiro Böhm.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Allemande from Partita No 5 in G major, BWV 829

    Music Arranger: Thomas Oehler. Ensemble: Royal Academy of Music Soloists Ensemble. Conductor: Trevor Pinnock.
    • Bach Partitas.
    • Linn.
    • 16.

  • Gabriel Fauré

    Sicilienne, Op 78

    Performer: Yo‐Yo Ma. Performer: Kathryn Stott.
    • Merci.
    • Sony Classical.
    • 8.

  • Jack Page

    Movement Three (from Slow Movements)

    Performer: Jack Page. Performer: Thomas Bedggood. Performer: Philippa Lodge. Performer: Naomi Hnat.
    • Slow Movements.
    • B3SCI.
    • 3.

  • Frederic Bayco

    Elizabethan Masque

    Orchestra: The New London Orchestra. Conductor: Ronald Corp.
    • British Light Music Classics, Vol. 4.
    • Hyperion.
    • 13.

  • Akira Kosemura

    A Beauty In Life

    Performer: Akira Kosemura.
    • A Mother's Touch (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
    • Universal Music LLC.
    • 15.

  • Franz Schubert

    Sonata in A minor, D 821 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Sasha Neustroev. Performer: Wendy Waterman.
    • Schubert: Sonata in A Minor, D. 821 "Sonate Arpeggione": II. Adagio.
    • Prospero Classical.
    • 1.

  • Jean Sibelius

    Symphony No 3 in C major, Op 52 (2nd mvt)

    Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sakari Oramo.

  • James Heather

    Beginnings

    Performer: James Heather.
    • Ahead Of Our Time.

  • Anon.

    Adorate Deum

    • Best 4 Classical.

  • Diana Yukawa

    Unity

    Composer: John Rushton. Performer: Diana Yukawa.
    • 1631 Recordings.

  • Peter Gregson

    To Process Grief

    Orchestra: BBC Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Daniel Parkinson.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Piano concerto No 19, K 459 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: sco Piemontesi. Orchestra: Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Andrew Manze.
    • Piano Concertos Nos. 19 & 27, Rondo K. 386.
    • Linn Records.
    • 2.

  • Meredi

    I Cave In

    Performer: Meredi.
    • Modern Recordings.

  • Trad.

    Baidan Fheilimidh (Felemy's Little Boat)

    Performer: Geraldine O’Grady. Performer: Margaret O'Sullivan. Music Arranger: T. C. Kelly.
    • The Lark in the Clear Air: Melodies of Ireland.
    • Signum-Cala.
    • 17.

  • Takagi Masakatsu

    Rainy Steps

    Performer: Takagi Masakatsu.
    • Masterworks.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Romance in G major, Op 40

    Performer: Anne‐Sophie Mutter. Orchestra: New York Philharmonic. Conductor: Kurt Masur.
    • Beethoven: Violin concerto/Romances: Mutter/New York Philharmonic/Masur.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
    • 4.

  • Hayley Morton

    Stepping Stones

    Performer: Hayley Morton.

  • Alun Hoddinott

    Love Song (Folk-Song Suite)

    Orchestra: Royal Ballet Sinfonia. Conductor: Andrew Penny.
    • Welsh Classical Favourites: Royal Ballet Sinfonia/Penny.
    • Marco Polo.
    • 7.

  • Keaton Henson

    Sandwalking

    Performer: Keaton Henson.
    • Mercury KX.

  • Claude Debussy

    La Cathédrale Engloutie (Préludes - Bk.1)

    Music Arranger: Julian Riem. Performer: Raphaela Gromes. Performer: Julian Riem. Ensemble: Arcis Saxophon Quartett.
    • Imagination.
    • Sony Classical/Sony Music.
    • 4.

  • Anna Meredith

    Blackfriars

    Performer: Matthew Barley.
    • Signum Records.

  • Alberto Giurioli

    Tulin

    Performer: Alberto Giurioli.
    • Alberto Giurioli.

  • Elskavon & John Hayes

    L'etoile

    • Western Vinyl.

  • Ben Ponniah

    Ra Ma Da Sa, Sa Se So Hung

    Choir: BBC Singers. Ensemble: BBC Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Graham Ross.

  • Variant Sea

    Undone

    • Variant Sea.

  • Nitin Sawhney

    The Fourth Window

    Performer: Nitin Sawhney.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Fritz Kreisler

    Caprice Viennois arr. for violin & guitar

    Performer: María Dueñas. Performer: Raphaël Feuillâtre. Music Arranger: Antoine Fougeray.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • Jelle Dittmar

    Reunited

    Performer: Jelle Dittmar.
    • Neogarde.

  • Ruth Gipps

    Wind Sinfonietta, Op 73 (2nd mvt - Adagio)

    Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Jonathan Bloxham.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 2 Feb 2025 18:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind
  • Wed 26 Feb 2025 18:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind
  • Fri 18 Apr 2025 18:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind
  • Last Saturday 18:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind