SATURDAY 07 JUNE 2025

SAT 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m002559q)
Sleep beside summer crickets

Slip into warm slumber with atmospheric summer sounds and breezy classical music. Zone out to that familiar, reassuring song of the cricket - an immersive soundscape to drop you into a peaceful state of rest.

Sleep Tracks on BBC Radio 3 Unwind combines soothing classical music and calming nature sounds to help you relax into sleep. Search 'Sleep Tracks' on BBC Sounds to enjoy more episodes.

Produced by Alice Boyd and Joy Nkoyo.
A Peanut & Crumb production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind.


SAT 06:00 Mindful Mix (m002812w)
Peaceful classical tunes for new horizons

Unwind from the busy day and make space for moments of calm, with this selection of peaceful classical music and nature-filled soundscapes.

Featuring twinkling piano melodies from Alexandra Stréliski, Rosey Chan, and Sophie Hutchings. And glowing strings and vocal textures from Florence Beatrice Price, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Ludwig van Beethoven and more.

Produced by James C Taylor
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind, MM


SAT 09:00 Classical Unwind (m00269zh)
Inspiring classical music to boost your day

Calming classical music to help you focus and set you up for the day ahead. Presented by broadcaster, author and psychologist Dr Sian Williams.

Featuring relaxing and uplifting melodies from Margaret Bonds, Maurice Ravel and Caroline Shaw, and Sian takes a breath of fresh air by some water. Plus, Professor Catherine Loveday explains why music is so good at triggering memories.


SAT 12:00 Piano Focus (m002bshg)
Centre the mind with transcendent piano sounds

A meditative journey across the piano’s diverse canon—where classical forms meet cinematic minimalism and ambient textures. Ruth Gipps’ luminous Opalescence opens the set, followed by quiet gems from Ferruccio Busoni and Maria Thompson Corley. Contemporary composers like Kelly Moran and Alice Boman bring a touch of modernity, while Nils Frahm and John Cage gently shape a contemplative soundscape.
Produced by Áine Devaney

A Reduced Listening Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say, “ask BBC Sounds to play Piano Focus”


SAT 14:00 Mindful Mix (m0025c3j)
Comforting classical music for warmth and positivity

Warming, gentle classical music to help you boost your energy and positivity. With well-known classics from Edward Elgar and Dmitri Shostakovich, as well as calming picks from Angela Morley, Philip Herbert and Clara Schumann.

Produced by Katie Hill
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM


SAT 17:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002c1cx)
Relax and recharge with the sounds of Slumberland and Game of Thrones.

Relax and recharge through the soundtracks from film and TV with Edith Bowman. Including Pinar Toprak's Slumberland, Game of Thrones: The Last Watch by Hannah Peel and Jung Jaeil's soundtrack for Micky 17.

Produced by Lucy Winter
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind


SAT 18:00 Classical Wind Down (m0024r0l)
Evening mood music for relaxation

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 pieces from the likes of Schubert, Melissa Parmenter and JS Bach – plus a chance to Press Pause with meditation teacher Michael J Wong.

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


SAT 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m0024qyp)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 3

Soothing soundtracks ft. Atli Örvarsson

Music has magical powers. It can tell stories, make us feel emotions, and transport us to distant worlds, simply through playing a certain combination of notes. In this episode of Ultimate Calm, Ólafur Arnalds celebrates the art of the soundtrack - playing some of his favourite selections from the world of film, television and video games. We’ll be transported to far-off planets, dive beneath the waves and dabble in time-travel, with soundtracks from Hildur Guðnadóttir, Jerskin Fendrix and Andrew Prahlow.

Plus we’ll hear from someone with a great deal of experience in the area of soundtracks, the Bafta-winning Icelandic composer Atli Örvarsson. Atli shares his musical safe haven, the track that brings him ultimate calm, a reflective, thought-provoking piece that helps him disconnect from daily worries, be still and breathe.

Produced by Kit Callin
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and Radio 3 Unwind


SAT 22:00 Night Tracks (m002br4d)
A bewitching night time soundtrack

Sara Mohr-Pietsch presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.


SAT 23:30 The Sleeping Forecast (m002cq8t)
Go on a sleepy voyage with British birdsong and gentle classical music

Take a sleepy voyage of flight across five integral bird habitats: reedbeds, coasts, farmland, woodland, and bogs. This journey features recordings from BBC’s Springwatch team, accompanied by gentle classical and ambient compositions from BBC Introducing artists, as well as excerpts from Radio 4’s Shipping Forecast, celebrating the season of the dawn chorus and the fledgling nest.

We start our voyage at a feathery margin along the water’s edge, amidst the rustle of swathes of reeds in the reedbed, with the sound of the willow warbler, and bittern. We travel to the cliffs, rocky shores, and shingle beaches of the coast, hearing the calls of the rock pipit, oyster catcher, and Manx shearwaters, along with the beach surf and the sounds of the sea from a clifftop vantage point.

Our voyage turns back inland, to the flower-rich grasslands and green fields of farmlands, where we hear the calls of the owl, chaffinch, and skylarks. We move among the cool shade of gently rustling leaves from oak, ash, hazel, and beech trees in British woodland. We hear the songs of whitethroats and redstarts, as well as the sounds of the song thrush and blackbird. Finally, we journey to the squelchy, muddy wetland bogs and boreal forest habitats, hearing the churring of nightjars, willow warblers, and snipe.

A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind
Produced by Cat Gough

To listen on most smart speakers, just say “ask BBC Sounds to play The Sleeping Forecast."

SUNDAY 08 JUNE 2025

SUN 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m0025d0h)
Journey to the North Pole

Take a dreamy voyage into a world of icy landscapes and soothing classical music. Drift to the Arctic with natural sounds and cool, calming melodies - a perfect mix to soundtrack your slumber.

Sleep Tracks on BBC Radio 3 Unwind combines soothing classical music and peaceful nature sounds to help you relax into sleep. Search 'Sleep Tracks' on BBC Sounds to enjoy more episodes.

Produced by Alice Boyd and Joy Nkoyo.
A Peanut & Crumb production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind.


SUN 06:00 Mindful Mix (m002bv0g)
A journey to classical serenity

Follow along on a classical journey that takes you to a place of peace with three hours of hand-picked classical music. This edition features the orchestral tones of Francis Poulenc and Dorothy Howell, the soothing solo instrumentation of Francesco da Milano and Frederic Chopin, and beautiful choral arrangements from Errollyn Wallen and Benjamin Britten.

All this, alongside new releases from Mystery Sonata, The King’s Singers, and Esther Abrami and captivating natural soundscapes to help you drift off into a world of calm.

Produced by Katie Hill
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM


SUN 09:00 Classical Unwind (m002812t)
Welcome the day with peaceful classical melodies

Calming classical music to help you focus and set you up for the day ahead. Presented by broadcaster, author and counselling psychologist Dr Sian Williams.

Featuring warm, comforting music from Britten, Tchaikovsky, and Charlotte Sohy, this episode explores how music can affect our sense of taste. Plus, Sian takes a breath near a wild, turbulent river.


SUN 12:00 Piano Focus (m0024qzv)
Calming piano sounds for enhanced focus

Stay motivated and centred with this peaceful and atmospheric mix of piano music. With iconic piano pieces by composers Fanny Mendelssohn, Clara Schumann and Florence Price alongside neoclassical sounds from British pianists Becky Ainge, Arelius and Simeon Walker.

Produced by Alexa Kruger
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM.
To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Piano Focus”


SUN 14:00 Mindful Mix (m0025l16)
Calming classical music for a moment of rest

Take this opportunity for a moment of rest and reflection, and let this three hour mix accompany you on your journey to calm.

Featuring warm strings from Alexander Glazunov and Edward Elgar, choral beauty from John Tavener and Trevor Weston, and solo piano tunes from Rosey Chan and Frédéric Chopin.

Produced by Katie Hill
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM


SUN 17:00 The Music & Meditation Podcast (m002d6rd)
Series 5

Prepare like a pro with Don Macpherson

Izzy and Don Macpherson chat about how meditation can help us mentally prepare for challenges more effectively. Don is a mind coach with a background in sports psychology who leads a guided meditation to help boost confidence and prepare like a pro.

The music that soundtracks Don's guided meditation was composed by Laura Jurd and recorded by Laura and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra exclusively for this episode.

If you’re brand new to meditation or you've tried it before, this series is the perfect place to pick it up from.

Music heard in this episode:
Chopin: Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante, Op. 22
Laura Jurd: Prepare like a pro
Biebel: Ave Maria
Bach: Ave Maria / Prelude in C


SUN 17:30 Classical Mixtape (m002br8l)
Music for Love and Kindness

As part of the BBC's Wellbeing Week, Radio 3 Unwind's Niall Breslin curates a mixtape on the theme of Love and Kindness.

From the delicate caress of Liszt's Liebestraume to the serene beauty of Debussy's Claire de Lune, this mixtape weaves a rich tapestry of romantic love. Today's mixtape also celebrates the enduring power of platonic love and friendship, beautifully embodied by Elgar's Theme and Variations, each of which is dedicated to a cherished friend. Takemistsu's tender guitar transcription of What a Friend adds a layer of warmth, reminding us of the bonds that shape our lives.

But perhaps the most heart-warming element to today's mixtape is its tribute to kindness itself, perfectly captured in the iconic theme from the Christmas classic, It's a Wonderful Life - a timeless reminder of the redemptive quality of kindness.

Producer: Zara Siddiqi


SUN 18:00 Classical Wind Down (m0028s32)
Relax to a classical evening soundtrack

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 Mozart, Ruth Gipps and Abbott. Plus, a chance to Press Pause with meditation teacher Izzy Judd, and some essential Wind Down Wisdom from science podcaster Caroline Steel on how cycling can help restore calm.
To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Wind Down.


SUN 21:00 Soundwaves (m002d6rg)
Illuminating new music to brighten your evening and calm the senses

Afrodeutsche hosts an hour of escapist and immersive new music from the UK’s brightest contemporary composers and performers. Composer Anna Lapwood performs music by Olivia Belli written for the BBC Proms, contemporary classical meets folk with a track from violinist and composer Ruby Colley, and we have choral music by Welsh-Irish composer Piers Connor Kennedy. Plus music from BBC Introducing emerging artists. To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Soundwaves.


SUN 22:00 Night Tracks (m002br28)
Sublime sounds for nightfall

Sara Mohr-Pietsch presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.


SUN 23:30 The Sleeping Forecast (m0027cdq)
Drift off with soothing classical compositions from BBC Introducing

Drift off with soothing classical compositions from BBC Introducing, paired with The Shipping Forecast from Radio 4.

Produced by Cat Gough
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Sounds

To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play The Sleeping Forecast”

MONDAY 09 JUNE 2025

MON 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m0025d6d)
Stroll through autumn leaves

Slip into sleep with a mix of autumnal natural sounds and restful classical music. Drift away to the rustle of crisp brown leaves under calming orchestral pieces - a perfect soundtrack to help guide you to a peaceful state of slumber.

Sleep Tracks on BBC Radio 3 Unwind combines soothing classical music and calming nature sounds to help you relax into sleep. Search 'Sleep Tracks' on BBC Sounds to enjoy more episodes.

Produced by Alice Boyd and Joy Nkoyo.
A Peanut & Crumb production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind.


MON 06:00 Mindful Mix (m00287n5)
Musical moments of calm and relaxation

Take a moment for yourself to unwind and relax into this three hour collection of calming classical music.

Featuring the choral beauty of John Tavener and Henry Purcell, pensive piano tracks from Fanny Mendelssohn and J.S. Bach and calming chamber music from Florence Price and Antonín Dvořák.

Produced by Katie Hill
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM


MON 09:00 Classical Unwind (m0026p7m)
Welcome in the day with uplifting classical music

Calming classical music to help you focus and set you up for the day ahead. Presented by broadcaster, author and counselling psychologist Dr Sian Williams.

Featuring rejuvenating and tranquil melodies from Beethoven, Isobel Waller-Bridge, and Aaron Copland. This episode also explores the expansive feeling of just going outside and looking up, and Professor Catherine Loveday explains the science behind the benefits of listening to music while you exercise.


MON 12:00 Piano Focus (m0024r19)
Soothing piano to soundtrack your studies

Tune out the noise and soundtrack your study time with this soothing piano mix. Amongst the selections are timeless piano classics from the likes of Frédéric Chopin and Cécile Chaminade alongside new music from young British composers including Eamonn Watt, Alexis Ffrench and Patrick Yeboah.

Produced by Jamie Green
A Reduced Listening Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind, MM.
To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Piano Focus”


MON 14:00 Mindful Mix (m0025l3r)
Serene melodies for inner peace

Find peace amidst life’s noise through a curated selection of reflective orchestral and piano music, paired with meditative choral works to soothe your mind and soul.

With music by Ronald Binge, Karl Jenkins, Gerald Finzi, Debbie Wiseman, and more.

Produced by James C Taylor
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind, MM


MON 17:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002d6x5)
Escape into the immersive worlds of film and TV soundtracks with Edith Bowman. Featuring current and new releases through to timeless classics.


MON 18:00 Classical Wind Down (m0024r10)
Restore calm with classical music

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 pieces from the likes of Karl Jenkins, Fela Sowande and Dobrinka Tabakova – plus a chance to Press Pause with meditation teacher Rod Stryker.

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


MON 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m0024qz6)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 3

Music in the mountains ft. Jordan Rakei

Escape into the embrace of the mountains, with Icelandic pianist and composer Ólafur Arnalds and a selection of music to bring you perspective and peace.

Ólafur reflects on the mountains near Reykjavik that he heads to when the noise of the world gets to be too much, and the feeling of calm that one can get from looking out at a horizon. Inspired by that feeling, he plays a selection of music including Rikuto Fujimoto, Chihei Hatakeyama and Ellen Reid.

Plus we’ll visit the musical safe haven of the singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Jordan Rakei. Jordan shares a track that brings him ultimate calm, giving him goosebumps every time he listens.

Produced by Kit Callin & Derick Armah
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and Radio 3 Unwind


MON 22:00 Night Tracks (m002cypb)
Music for the still of night

Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.


MON 23:30 The Sleeping Forecast (m002d6x7)
Rest easy with the ultimate dreamy soundtrack

Rest easy with this soundtrack of peaceful classical compositions from BBC Introducing, paired with coastal weather reports from around the UK, courtesy of Radio 4’s the Shipping Forecast, and the sounds of a woodland recorded in summertime, in north Wales.

Produced by Cat Gough
A Reduced Listening Production for BBC Radio 3Unwind

To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play The Sleeping Forecast."

TUESDAY 10 JUNE 2025

TUE 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m002d6xc)
Drift off with a blend of nature sounds and restful, relaxing classical music. A perfect soundtrack to help guide you to a peaceful state of slumber.


TUE 06:00 Mindful Mix (m00287nh)
Meditative classical sounds for a positive state of mind

Discover the soothing power of classical music with this selection of peaceful tunes and soundscapes from the natural world. Perfect for unwinding and finding stillness, these pieces will help guide you into a space of calm and relaxation.

Featuring tranquil compositions by Claude Debussy, Johannes Brahms, and Ludwig van Beethoven, alongside the delicate melodies of Yann Tiersen, Caroline Shaw, Rachel Portman, Hayato Sumino, and more.

Produced by James C Taylor
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind, MM


TUE 09:00 Classical Unwind (m002d6vc)
Music to help find your focus and flow.


TUE 12:00 Piano Focus (m0024r0d)
A journey through softly focused piano reveries

Immerse yourself in this journey through softly-focused piano reveries. Blending impressionistic beauties from the likes of Maurice Ravel and Ruth Gipps with the innovative spirit of contemporary artists such as Ava Rasti and Kelly Moran, this mix elegantly portrays the shifting nuances of classical music through the decades, the perfect soundtrack to your focused work.

Produced by Áine Devaney
A Reduced Listening Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind, MM.
To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Piano Focus”


TUE 14:00 Mindful Mix (m0025myj)
Classical music to reset the mind

Sink into three hours of soothing classical tunes to reset and refresh your mind.

This mix features the orchestral excellence of Jean Sibelius and Vincenzo Bellini, choral melodies from Christopher H. Harris and Kerensa Briggs, as well as well-loved favourites from Henry Mancini, Gabriel Fauré and Franz Schubert.

Produced by Katie Hill
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM


TUE 17:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m00260w9)
Immerse yourself in the music of O Brother Where Art Thou and Ray.

Immerse yourself in film soundtracks with Edith Bowman. Featuring Alison Krauss' moment from O Brother Where Art Thou, and Craig Armstrong's score for the biopic, Ray.

Produced by Lucy Winter
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind


TUE 18:00 Classical Wind Down (m002559d)
Soundtrack your evening with enchanting music

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 Nils Frahm, Olivia Belli and Ralph Vaughan Williams. Plus, a chance to Press Pause with meditation teacher Maude Hirst.

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


TUE 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m0024r03)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 3

Celestial sounds for stargazing ft. Julianna Barwick

Let the stars be your guide for this journey into Ultimate Calm.

Join Icelandic pianist and composer Ólafur Arnalds for a spot of stargazing as he shares a soundtrack for watching the skies and letting our day-to-day problems melt away. There’ll be celestial selections including Jóhann Jóhannsson, Colleen and Tomo-Nakaguchi, as well as some special words from composer Dustin O’Halloran on one of his own compositions, Constellation.

Plus we’ll be rocketed away to the safe haven of the ethereal LA composer and vocalist Julianna Barwick, who shares a field recording she made whilst in a park in Tokyo.

Produced by Kit Callin
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and Radio 3 Unwind


TUE 22:00 Night Tracks (m002cymn)
Immersive music for after-hours

Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.


TUE 23:30 The Sleeping Forecast (m0027bg4)
Get cosy and nod off

Unwind and fall into a deep slumber, with dreamy classical music from BBC Introducing mixed with Radio 4's Shipping Forecast.

Produced by Cat Gough

A Reduced Listening Production for BBC Sounds
To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play The Sleeping Forecast”

WEDNESDAY 11 JUNE 2025

WED 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m0025c3m)
Board the night train

Drift away to the sounds of a gentle sleeper train ride and restful classical music. Lull yourself to sleep with rhythmic, rocking movement and hypnotic soft melodies - a perfect soundtrack to help guide you to a peaceful state of slumber.

Sleep Tracks on BBC Radio 3 Unwind combines soothing classical music and calming nature sounds to help you relax into sleep. Search 'Sleep Tracks' on BBC Sounds to enjoy more episodes.

Produced by Alice Boyd and Joy Nkoyo.
A Peanut & Crumb production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind.


WED 06:00 Mindful Mix (m00287rk)
Serene classical music for peace and positivity

Tune in and drift off into a state of peacefulness and positivity with this three hour mix of calming classical music. Featuring light orchestral melodies from Quincy Jones and Frederick Delius, relaxing piano lines from Clara Schumann and John Field, alongside well-known favourites from Edgar Bainton and Léo Delibes.

Produced by Katie Hill
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM


WED 09:00 Classical Unwind (m0024qzs)
Lift your morning with gentle classical sounds

Calming classical music to help you focus and set you up for the day ahead. Presented by broadcaster, author and counselling psychologist Dr Sian Williams.

Featuring warm harmonies from Emilie Mayer, Maurice Ravel, and Erich Korngold, Sian also takes time to notice the smaller things in nature while on a walk. Plus, Professor Catherine Loveday explores how music affects our ability to study - enhancement or distraction?


WED 12:00 Piano Focus (m0024r0t)
Uplifting piano music to fuel your creative flow

Fuel your creative flow with this mix of melodic piano pieces, the perfect aid to sustain your concentration and create a soothing backdrop as you work. Featuring beautiful versions of piano classics by Beethoven and Mozart, as well as inspiring contemporary pieces by Alexis Ffrench and Fiona Brice.

To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Piano Focus”

Produced by Alexa Kruger
A Reduced Listening Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM.


WED 14:00 Mindful Mix (m0025vqw)
Classical harmonies to bring you calm

Allow yourself a moment of calm with a three hour mix of relaxing classical sounds.

Featuring shimmering orchestral harmonies from Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and Ruth Gipps, soothing instrumental textures from Camille Saint-Saens and Robert Schumann and quiet piano melodies by Karen Tanaka and Chiquinha Gonzaga.

Produced by Steven Rajam
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM


WED 17:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m0026n8l)
Head to another realm through the film soundtracks of Wicked and The Wizard Of Oz.

Head to another realm through film soundtracks with Edith Bowman. With a trip to Oz via Swartz and Oremus' Wicked, Dave Porter's Breaking Bad and Chasing Wonders by KT Tunstall.

Produced by Lucy Winter
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind


WED 18:00 Classical Wind Down (m002d770)
Relax with a calming classical evening soundtrack

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 Poppy Ackroyd, Bach and John Barry. Plus, a chance to Press Pause with meditation expert Rod Stryker, and Caroline Steel shares her Wind Down Wisdom on the benefits of hot drinks.

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


WED 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m0024r1h)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 3

Restful music for recovery ft. Laufey

It seems that more and more of us are suffering from burnout - a state of mental, physical and emotional exhaustion.

Ólafur Arnalds invites you to take this hour of Ultimate Calm as a breather from the stresses of your everyday life. He reflects on his own relationship to pressure and burnout, and shares music that feels like taking a deep breath including tracks from Voces8, Cephas Azariah and Alice Sara Ott.

Plus we hear from the Icelandic singer, pianist and cellist Laufey on the song that brings her ultimate calm - a classical piece from childhood that always reminds her of home.

Produced by Kit Callin
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and Radio 3 Unwind.


WED 22:00 Night Tracks (m002cyxf)
Reflective music for the day’s end

Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.


WED 23:30 The Sleeping Forecast (p0jbs2b4)
Soothing music to ease you into a deep sleep

Drift off into a deep, peaceful sleep with soothing classical compositions from BBC Introducing artists, paired with field recordings and BBC Radio 4's Shipping Forecast.

Produced by Cat Gough
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Sounds

To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play The Sleeping Forecast”

THURSDAY 12 JUNE 2025

THU 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m0025kvj)
Cosy up by the fireplace

Doze off to a mix of comforting sounds and cosy classical music. Warm yourself by a flickering fireplace, and rest awhile with this relaxing soundtrack for slumber.

Sleep Tracks on BBC Radio 3 Unwind combines soothing classical music and calming nature sounds to help you relax into sleep. Search 'Sleep Tracks' on BBC Sounds to enjoy more episodes.

Produced by Alice Boyd and Joy Nkoyo.
A Peanut & Crumb production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind.


THU 06:00 Mindful Mix (m0028hwk)
Classical music for reflection and relaxation

Let soothing classical music be your companion on a journey of relaxation. This collection of peaceful melodies invites stillness and tranquility, perfect for moments of reflection or simply unwinding after a busy day.

Featuring works by J.S. Bach, Gustav Holst, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, as well as contemporary voices such as Hania Rani, Max Richter and Debbie Wiseman.

Produced by James C Taylor
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind, MM


THU 09:00 Classical Unwind (m0024r17)
Set yourself up for the day with restorative classical music

Calming classical music to help you focus and set you up for the day ahead. Presented by broadcaster, author and counselling psychologist Dr Sian Williams.

Featuring enriching and inspiring melodies from Alice Mary Smith, Ola Gjeilo, and Vaughan Williams, this episode explores why some music make us feel happy, and some make us feel sad. Plus, Sian takes joy in the sounds of children playing whilst outside to Take a Breath.


THU 12:00 Piano Focus (m002d77v)
Restorative piano music to inspire calm and creativity

Summon a peaceful headspace and unlock your creativity with this gently flowing mixtape of restorative piano music. Featuring a beautiful piano rendition of the Indian classical raga ‘Bhimpalasi’ by Utsav Lal, a soothing performance of ‘Mother’s Love’ by the legendary Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru, and fresh compositions from contemporary British artists such as Samuel Félix and Polly Carter.

Produced by Jamie Green

A Reduced Listening Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say, “ask BBC Sounds to play Piano Focus”


THU 14:00 Mindful Mix (m0025vt1)
Chilled-out classical music to help you unwind

Pause, and take a breath, with this curated mix of calming classical tunes, combined with soothing sounds from the natural world.

Featuring vast and flowing orchestral textures from Johannes Brahms, Frederick Delius, and Patrick Hawes. Plus soothing solo piano from Margaret Bonds, Alexis Ffrench, and Alma Deutscher. And glowing choral harmonies from Ēriks Ešenvalds, Philip Stopford, and Anna Lapwood.

Produced by James C Taylor
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind, MM


THU 17:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m0026nlv)
Hunker down into the night with music from Taxi Driver, The Green Mile and Spirited Away.

Film soundtracks around the theme of night, with Edith Bowman. Featuring Vangellis' Love Theme from Blade Runner, Spirited Away by Joe Hisaishi and Thomas Newman's The Green Mile.

Produced by Lucy Winter
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind


THU 18:00 Classical Wind Down (m002559n)
Exhale at the end of the day with restorative music

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 Isobel Waller-Bridge, Florence Price and Jasdeep Singh Degun – plus some Wind Down Wisdom from award-winning science podcaster Caroline Steel.

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


THU 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m0024r0n)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 3

Take flight with the sound of birdsong ft. Jacob Collier

Across three series of Ultimate Calm, there is one particular sound that seems to feature more than any other - birdsong. Birds have been inspiring humans with their songs, their flights and fancies for centuries - this episode is dedicated to them.

Ólafur Arnalds shares a selection of music that features birdsong, or is inspired by the birds themselves, from the likes of Patricia Wolf, Ottorino Respighi and the duo of Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita.

Plus we get to hear another, very unusual, kind of birdsong through the safe haven of the inventive singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier. He shares a field recording he made during a concert in Helsinki, and explains how chaos brings him a feeling of calm.

Produced by Kit Callin
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and Radio 3 Unwind


THU 22:00 Night Tracks (m002cys3)
A bewitching night time soundtrack

Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.


THU 23:30 The Sleeping Forecast (p0cmtt7f)
Sleepy sounds for restful nights

Drift off to cool music from BBC Introducing combined with Radio 4's Shipping Forecast.

Produced by Gabriel Francis
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Sounds

To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play The Sleeping Forecast.”

FRIDAY 13 JUNE 2025

FRI 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m0025l3y)
Slumber in the city

Switch off to the sound of a city winding down, soundtracked by airy classical music. Power down and drift away to the night-time hum of life in the background - an immersive soundscape to drop you into a peaceful state of rest.

Sleep Tracks on BBC Radio 3 Unwind combines soothing classical music and calming nature sounds to help you relax into sleep. Search 'Sleep Tracks' on BBC Sounds to enjoy more episodes.

Produced by Alice Boyd and Joy Nkoyo.
A Peanut & Crumb production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind.


FRI 06:00 Mindful Mix (m0028hf4)
Lose yourself in classical calm

Indulge in this collection of relaxing music and lose yourself in a sea of classical calm.

Featuring established favourites from Edward Elgar, Maurice Ravel, and Ludovico Einaudi, alongside hidden gems by Judith Weir, Edward Margetson and Henrique Oswald.

Produced by Katie Hill
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM


FRI 09:00 Classical Unwind (m0024r0b)
Elevate your morning with refreshing classical music

Calming classical music to help you focus and set you up for the day ahead. Presented by broadcaster, author and counselling psychologist Dr Sian Williams.

Featuring uplifting, soothing tunes from Bach, Cecile Chaminade, and Anton Bruckner, Sian explores the idea of soft focus while getting some fresh air, and Professor Catherine Loveday explains some of the ways in which music can actually connect us.


FRI 12:00 Piano Focus (m002559b)
Inspiring piano music to enhance focus

Unlock unwavering focus with this carefully crafted piano mix, the perfect accompaniment to your working day. Featuring contemporary gems from Sufjan Stephens, Jon Hopkins and Chilly Gonzales alongside the classical music of Dora Pejačević, Judith Weir and Tanya Ekanayaka.

To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Piano Focus”

Produced by Annie Keates Thorpe
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM.


FRI 14:00 Mindful Mix (m002d758)
Capture a moment to yourself with stress-busting classical.


FRI 17:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m0026txl)
Discover immersive musical realms with Doctor Who and Stranger Things.

Discover the immersive musical realms of film and TV with Edith Bowman. Featuring Murry Gold's Doctor Who, Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein's Stranger Things and Scoop by Anne Nikitin & Hannah Peel.

Produced by Lucy Winter
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind


FRI 18:00 Classical Wind Down (m0025cpp)
Release the day with serene classical sounds

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 Ennio Morricone, Rebecca Clarke and Robert Schumann – plus a chance to Press Pause with meditation teacher Maude Hirst.

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


FRI 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m0024r12)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 3

Musical peace and quiet ft. Kelly Lee Owens

This journey into calm is dedicated to two of the most valuable things in the world - peace and quiet. Icelandic pianist and composer Ólafur Arnalds allows the music to speak for itself today, with plenty of spacious selections.

Ólafur shares pieces that use pauses and silences, giving us ample time to sit and reflect in the gentle quiet, from musicians like Helena Basilova, Jónsi and JJJJJerome Ellis.

Plus we’ll visit the musical safe haven of the Welsh electronic musician and producer Kelly Lee Owens. Kelly shares the song that brings her ultimate calm - a lengthy track of swirling synths that always gives her the time and space to dream, switch off and find peace.

Produced by Kit Callin & Derick Armah
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and Radio 3 Unwind


FRI 22:00 Night Tracks (m002c1xd)
Blissful sounds for night owls

Hannah Peel presents an adventurous, immersive soundtrack for late-night listening, from classical to contemporary and everything in between.


FRI 23:30 The Sleeping Forecast (p0hnjxxw)
Comforting tunes to get you to sleep

Unwind into a tranquil sleep with gentle melodies from BBC Introducing, accompanied by comforting excerpts from The Shipping Forecast on Radio 4.

To listen on most smart speakers just say 'ask BBC Sounds to play The Sleeping Forecast'.