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Switch off with calming classical music

Niall Breslin brings you calming classical music to help you release the stresses of the day, recharge and prepare to rest.

Three hours of calming classical music to help you release the stresses of the day, recharge and prepare to rest - presented by Irish musician and mindfulness expert Niall Breslin.
This episode features a rich blend of music from the likes of John Tavener, Rosey Chan and Víkingur Ólafsson. Plus, a chance to Press Pause with mindfulness expert Izzy Judd, and some essential Wind Down Wisdom from science podcaster Caroline Steel on the soothing power of listening to the radio.
To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Wind Down.

11 days left to listen

3 hours

Last on

Mon 19 May 2025 18:00
BBC Radio 3 Unwind

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Music Played

  • Ignacy Jan Paderewski

    Nocturne in B flat major, Op 16 No 4

    Performer: Jenny Lin.
    • haenssler CLASSIC.

  • Laura Masotto

    Solus

    • Lady Blunt Records.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Concerto for Two Violins and Strings in D minor, BWV 1043 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Therese Divry. Orchestra: Kammerorchester Pro Arte München. Conductor: Kurt Redel.
    • Forlane.

  • Valentin Silvestrov

    Postlude No 3

    Performer: Anja Lechner. Performer: Silke Avenhaus.
    • ECM Records.

  • John Tavener

    Mother of God

    Choir: Pembroke College Chapel Choir. Choir: Pembroke College Girls' Choir. Conductor: Anna Lapwood.
    • Signum Records.

  • Go Shiina

    Demon Slayer: Nezuko Theme

    Composer: Yuki Kajiura. Performer: Louis Philippson.
    • Masterworks/Sony Music.

  • Wilhelm Stenhammar

    Sången, Op 44: The Song: Interlude

    Orchestra: Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Neeme Järvi.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).

  • Francis Obel

    Coda For dreamers

    • Believe International.

  • William Corbett

    Concerto No 7 "Alla Portugesa" in B flat major, Op 7 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Andreas Staier. Orchestra: Orquestra Barroca Casa da Música.
    • harmonia mundi.

  • Louise Farrenc

    Étude No 19 in F sharp major, Op 42

    Performer: Maria Stratigou.
    • Grand Piano.

  • Jake Runestad

    The Peace of Wild Things (American Triptych, No 2)

    Choir: Conspirare. Conductor: Craig Hella Johnson.
    • Delos.

  • Edward Elgar

    Salut d'amour, Op 12

    Orchestra: BBC Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Keith Lockhart.

  • Amy Beach

    By the Still Waters, Op 114 (Arr for 2 Guitars)

    Performer: Alexandra Whittingham. Performer: Plínio Fernandes.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd..

  • Akira Kosemura

    Echoes

    • 1631 Recordings.

  • Antonín Dvořák

    Songs My Mother Taught Me, Op 55 (Transcr. for trumpet and orchestra)

    Performer: Tine Thing Helseth. Orchestra: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Eivind Aadland.
    • Warner Classics.

  • Lara Somogyi & Jean‐Michel Blais

    escaliers

    • Mercury Classics.

  • Rachel Portman

    Flight

    Performer: Angèle Dubeau. Ensemble: La Pietà.
    • Groupe Analekta, Inc.

  • Gustav Holst

    Neptune, the Mystic (The Planets, Op 32 - version for 2 pianos)

    Performer: Richard Rodney Bennett. Performer: Susan Bradshaw.
    • Delos.

  • Paniyolo

    Yuunagi

    • Paniyolo.

  • Patrick Hawes

    Prayer To A Guardian Angel

    Performer: Matthew Sharp. Choir: VOCES8.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd..

  • Carl Stamitz

    Cello Concerto No 1 in G Major (2nd mvt)

    Orchestra: Prague Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Christian Benda.
    • Naxos.

  • Victor Young

    When I Fall In Love (Arr for Piano)

    Performer: Rosey Chan.
    • Platoon Ltd.

  • Jeremy Birchall

    Everything InBetween

    • Manners McDade.

  • Anthony Holborne

    The Image of Melancholly

    Ensemble: L’Achéron. Conductor: François Joubert-Caillet.
    • Ricercar.

  • Will Everitt

    Be kind to yourself

    Orchestra: BBC Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Gabriella Teychenné.

  • Irena and Vojtěch Havlovi

    She Is Dissolving

    • Irena & Vojtech Havlovi.

  • Clara Schumann

    Romance No 1 in D flat major for violin and piano, Op 22

    Performer: Koji Morishita.
    • Stereo Arts Classics.

  • Biba Dupont

    Apres la fourche des jardins

    • Bigo and Twigetti.

  • Takashi Kokubo & Yumiko Morioka

    Gaiaphilia

    • Metron Records.

  • Seckou Keita

    Missing You Forever

    Performer: Seckou Keita. Orchestra: BBC Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Mark Heron.
    • Claves Records.

  • Joel Thompson

    The Rose

    Performer: Andrew Rupp. Performer: Richard Pearce. Choir: BBC Singers. Conductor: Owain Park.

  • Ólafur Arnalds

    Not Alone

    • Mercury Classics.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Prelude in B flat minor, No 22, BWV 867

    Performer: Ewa Pobłocka.
    • Warner Music UK Limited.

  • Robert Schumann

    Child Falling Asleep, Op 15 No. 12 (arr for string quartet)

    Ensemble: Solem Quartet.
    • Orchid Classics.

  • Mary Lattimore

    Your Glossy Camry

    • Ghostly International.

  • Nick Cave & Warren Ellis

    Counting the Stars

    • Mute, a BMG Company.

  • Aaron Copland

    Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo: II. Corral Nocturne

    Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: John Wilson.
    • Chandos.

  • Ronald Binge

    Sailing By

    Orchestra: Alan Perry/William Gardner Orchestra.
    • Mozart Records.

  • Ludovico Einaudi

    Two Trees

    • Decca (UMO) (Classics).

  • Yujin Baek

    Paris

    Performer: Yujin Baek.

  • A Winged Victory for the Sullen

    Atomos XI

    Composer: Dustin O’Halloran. Performer: Gabriella Swallow. Performer: Eleanor Turner. Performer: Elsa Bradley. Performer: Calie Hough. Choir: VOCES8.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd..

  • Víkingur Ólafsson

    Sleep for Mama (Icelandic Folk Song)

    Performer: Víkingur Ólafsson.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).

  • Gabriel Fauré

    Masques et Bergamasques: Pastorale

    Orchestra: Orchestre de la Suisse Romande.
    • The Classical Label.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 16 Mar 2025 18:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind
  • Mon 19 May 2025 18:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind