SATURDAY 09 MAY 2026

SAT 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m002v07y)
Relax in a rocking hammock

Ease your body and mind into gentle stillness with the soft creak of a hammock in the breeze and calming classical music.

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

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


SAT 06:00 Mindful Mix (m002tm9l)
Soothing classical music to uncloud your mind

Relax into this mix and let the fog slowly lift with this selection of soothing classical music.

This mix features Baroque orchestral excellence from George Friedrich Handel and Joseph Boulogne Chevalier de Saint-Georges, mindful piano solos from Elena Kats-Chernin and Suwon Yim and atmospheric choral works by Benjamin Britten and Morten Lauridsen.

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


SAT 09:00 Classical Unwind (m002812z)
Refresh your morning with gentle 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 soothing, reflective melodies from Nadia Boulanger, Eric Coates and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Sian takes us up to a field on a hilltop to Take a Breath, and Professor Catherine Loveday explores why music makes us feel emotional.


SAT 12:00 Piano Focus (m0029xxr)
Peaceful piano to centre the mind

Delve into this peaceful piano soundtrack, designed to help you foster a calm, focused headspace away from distraction. Featuring a curated selection of piano gems, including a live performance from Australian-Taiwanese composer Belle Chen, the healing keys of Alfa Mist, and a new cover of Joseph Canteloube’s ‘Chants d'Auvergne’—a collection of folk songs from the Auvergne region of France.

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.'


SAT 14:00 Mindful Mix (m00296ps)
Step into classical stillness

Soothe your mind, body and soul with this collection of classical tunes handpicked to aid your relaxation.

Featuring warm orchestral favourites from Edward Elgar and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as well as lighter textures from Liz Dilnot Johnson and Heitor Villa-Lobos and glowing choral melodies from Gabriel Faure and Christopher H. Harris.

All this, alongside new releases from the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Trio RoVerde and Luke Faulkner and captivating natural soundscapes to help you drift off into a world of peace.

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


SAT 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002v07s)
Discover evening 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 music from the likes of Eric Whitacre, Anoushka Shankar and Vaughan Williams. Plus, a chance to Press Pause with meditation teacher Michael James Wong, and some essential Wind Down Wisdom from science podcaster Caroline Steel on how sometimes it's helpful to give yourself a hug.

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


SAT 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002v15z)
Rest and reset with the sounds of Slumdog Millionaire and True Grit

Escape into the immersive worlds of film and TV soundtracks with Edith Bowman. Featuring music from True Grit, Slumdog Millionaire, and Young Sherlock. Plus Oliver Coates stunning cello work for Aftersun, and Nicholas Brittel's score for 2018's If Beale Street Could Talk.

Produced by Tom Pooley
Assistant Producer Naava Abigail Busenze
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind


SAT 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m001g9pb)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 1

Music to bring calm amidst the chaos feat. Benjamin Hardman

Join Icelandic composer and pianist Ólafur Arnalds for an hour-long musical journey into the world of calm.

In the final episode of the series, Ólafur focuses on music that seeks to bring calm amidst the chaos with a selection of songs to help you escape the hectic stresses of this time of year. He shares music from Poppy Ackroyd, Voces8 and Nils Frahm, and reflects on the importance of tuning out the noise and the pressures of the everyday in order to claim back a moment of stillness for yourself.

Plus the photographer Benjamin Hardman transports us to his Safe Haven, the place where he feels the most calm, with recordings from the eruption of Icelandic volcano Meradalir where he spends a lot of his time - demonstrating the ultimate definition of calm amidst chaos.

Produced by Katie Callin
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds.


SAT 22:00 Night Tracks (m002tmh1)
A meditative moonlight soundtrack

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


SAT 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'.

SUNDAY 10 MAY 2026

SUN 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m0024qxn)
Drift upon the wind

Doze off to a mix of windswept sounds and restful classical music. Drift off to immersive sounds of swirling winds and blustery gusts - 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. To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Sleep Tracks.

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


SUN 06:00 Mindful Mix (m0027k27)
Classical melodies for peaceful moments

Escape the stresses of the busy day and and immerse yourself in a world of relaxing classical music and soundscapes. This mix features calming orchestral, piano, and choral pieces - perfect for finding moments of peace and reflection.

With classical favourites from Edward Elgar, Gabriel Fauré, and George Frideric Handel, and gently flowing music from Kerensa Briggs, Thomas James White, Alexis Ffrench, Anna Lapwood, Eleanor Dunnet, Jess Gillam, and more.

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


SUN 09:00 Classical Unwind (m002v13z)
Brighten your day with enchanting 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 gentle, soothing harmonies from composers like Grieg, Handel and Gipps. This episode features a chance to Find Your Focus with the music of Hania Rani. Sian takes a breath on a boggy walk in wet weather, and marvels at the ability of nature to bounce back. Also, Professor Catherine Loveday explores how musicians can help counter stage fright.


SUN 12:00 Piano Focus (m002tmbw)
Warming piano music to centre your mind

Romantic piano classics give way to modern minimalism and reverb-softened contemporary vignettes, drifting across eras and genres. British contemporary voices including Coby Sey, Duval Timothy, and Jessie Hackett bring a genre-blurring sensibility to the programme, where classical tradition meets modern production and improvisatory spirit. Alongside them, earlier composers and pianists provide touchstones of lyricism and restraint.

Produced by Áine Devaney.

A Reduced Listening production for BBC Sounds MM.


SUN 14:00 Mindful Mix (m002b5tc)
Calm the chaos with relaxing classical tunes

Enjoy a restful moment with this calming collection of classical music.

Featuring beautiful serenading brass from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Joseph Haydn, soothing piano tones from Muzio Clementi and William Grant Still, and vocal harmonies from Anna Lapwood and Sergei Rachmaninoff. This mix also includes new releases by Heather Tuach and Yoko Misumi, Felix Klieser, and Xie Yueli.

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


SUN 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002m1f8)
A Soothing start to the evening 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 music from the likes of Lucy Walker, Mozart and Hugar. Plus, a chance to Press Pause with meditation teacher Michael James Wong, and some essential Wind Down Wisdom from science podcaster Caroline Steel on the potential benefits of reading poetry.

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


SUN 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002tm7s)
Take a trip to serenity with Lion and Message In A Bottle

Escape into the serene sound worlds of film and TV with Edith Bowman. With Gabriel Yared's Message In A Bottle and Lion by Dustin O'Halloran with Volker Bertleman. Plus a look at the music used in short films, including Aaron May and David Ridley's soundtrack for Boiling Point.

Produced by Lucy Winter
Assistant Producer Naava Abigail Busenze
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind


SUN 21:00 Soundwaves (m002w5ky)
Restorative music to bring stillness

Afrodeutsche hosts an hour of escapist and immersive new music from the UK’s brightest contemporary composers and performers.

Featuring calming composition from famed producer Squarepusher, composer-cellist Adam Peters and rising star Jasmine Myra. 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 (m002tmg6)
Music for the darkling hour

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


SUN 23:30 The Sleeping Forecast (p0hwp5k3)
A rest inducing soundtrack to help you drift off

Fall into a deep sleep with gentle compositions from BBC Introducing, paired 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”

MONDAY 11 MAY 2026

MON 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m0024qy7)
Escape from the rain

Drift off to a mix of rainy day sounds and restful classical music. Doze off to immersive sounds of light winds and hypnotic downpour - 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 (m002c3st)
Soothing classical sounds for rest and relaxation

Let your thoughts settle with this peaceful mix of classical music and calming sounds from the natural world. Featuring reflective piano pieces, soft string textures, and tranquil choral moments. Perfect for helping you create space for stillness, rest, and quiet reflection.
Featuring classical favourites by Johann Sebastian Bach, Edvard Grieg, and Johannes Brahms. And newer works by Alexis French, Becky McGlade, Kerensa Briggs, and more.

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


MON 09:00 Classical Unwind (m002w5mr)
Bring peace to your morning with glorious classical melodies

Serene 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 gently enriching music from composers including Arvo Part, Florence Price, and Frederick Delius, and a chance to Find Your Focus with the music of Icelandic composer Eydis Evensen. Sian appreciates the benefits of even a little exposure to the natural world while out to Take a Breath, and Professor Catherine Loveday explains the calming practice of 'music breathing'.


MON 12:00 Piano Focus (m002b7bj)
Enter focus and calm with gentle piano music

Contemporary and classical piano music plucked from across the centuries to help guide you into focus and calm. From the more adventurous corners of contemporary music, Christina Vantzou, Michael Harrison and Meredith Monk offer meditative experiments alongside classic pieces from longstanding pioneers, including Frederick Delius, Ivor Gurney and Vladimir Rebikov.

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.'


MON 14:00 Mindful Mix (m002b5y7)
Peaceful classical tunes to calm your mind

Relax your busy mind and take a step back from the chaos of daily life with this collection of peaceful classical music. Featuring beautiful harp melodies from Henri Busser and Bryce Dessner, orchestral warmth from Samuel Coleridge Taylor and Igor Stravinsky, and new releases from Xie Yueli and Jonathan Dove.

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


MON 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002w5s8)
A classical music playlist to let the day go

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.

The programme also draws on a curated playlist designed to encourage small, positive actions in support of mental health. Alexis Ffrench’s Story of You offers gentle emotional reassurance, Ellen Reid’s Big Majestic creates a spacious, grounding sound world that supports calm breathing, and a harp arrangement of Dolores O’Riordan’s Dreaming My Dreams brings an intimate, tender stillness. Niall Breslin invites listeners to press pause, guiding them through simple ways to use the body to navigate stress and restore a sense of mental calm and positivity.

Also, Caroline Steel brings some wind down wisdom on how changing the lighting in a room can have a restorative impact on your mood.

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


MON 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002pp7q)
Find a place of calm with Wolf Hall and Eternity

Escape into the calming worlds of film and TV soundtracks with Edith Bowman. Featuring Morgan Kibby's score for The Short History of The Long Road and Eternity by David Fleming. Plus Geoff Zanelli's music for The First Lady and a moment from Wolf Hall by Debbie Wiseman.

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


MON 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m001kpgy)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 2

Music for new beginnings feat. Alice Sara Ott

Icelandic composer and pianist Ólafur Arnalds is ready to unwind. After an incredibly busy time playing concerts all over the world, he is back with a second series of Ultimate Calm - twelve unique episodes, each one a musical journey that seeks to find that all too elusive feeling of calm.

In the spirit of a new series, in this first episode Ólafur takes inspiration from the idea of new beginnings, with music related to fresh starts. He shares pieces from Ryuichi Sakamoto, Poppy Ackroyd and Philip Glass, and reflects on how music can provide feelings of escape and rejuvenation.

For each episode, Ólafur has invited a special guest to share with listeners their own sonic safe haven - the piece of music that brings them ultimate calm. This week, our guest is the celebrated classical pianist Alice Sara Ott, who tells us about the piece that made her stand still when she first heard it - a composition by Arvo Pärt that she plays regularly in her own performances, leaving both her and her audience transformed every time.

Produced by Katie Callin.
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds.


MON 22:00 Night Tracks (m002vw4d)
Music for the darkling hour

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


MON 23:30 The Sleeping Forecast (m002w5mt)
A serene soundtrack to help you drift off

Cast off the pressures of the day and drift off to sleep with this serene soundtrack of classical and ambient music by BBC Introducing artists, excerpts of Radio 4’s Shipping Forecast and calming sounds of gentle streams and windswept woodland.

Produced by Alex Yates

A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind

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

TUESDAY 12 MAY 2026

TUE 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m0024qyr)
Float along the river

Drift off to a mix of calming river sounds and restful classical music. Doze off to immersive sounds of birds chirping and the comforting sound of water flowing down a light stream - 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.


TUE 06:00 Mindful Mix (m0027s8l)
Soothing classical melodies for a calm mind

For a peaceful and tranquil state of mind, sink into the relaxing sounds of this three hour classical music mix. With choral melodies from Hildegard Von Bingen and Karl Jenkins, orchestral classics from Camille Saint-Saëns and Johannes Brahms, and soothing contemporary piano from Alexis Ffrench and Marie Awadis.

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


TUE 09:00 Classical Unwind (m002szmj)
Find your morning calm 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 gentle and enriching melodies from composers like Tchaikovsky, Beach, and Dowland. This morning's chance to Find Your Focus is courtesy of the music of Max Richter. Sian finds an unexpected gift while out to Take a Breath, and Professor Catherine Loveday joins the show to explore how we recognise different musical genres, even at an early age.


TUE 12:00 Piano Focus (m002bhs5)
Gentle piano music to soundtrack your studies

Overcome distractions and enter a calm, focused headspace with this gentle piano soundtrack, designed to support your study sessions. This mix features music by brilliant British composers across the ages—from Edward Elgar and Helen Hopekirk, to The Beatles and Howard Blake, all the way to contemporary talents like Alexis Ffrench and Cerys Havana Hickman.

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.'


TUE 14:00 Mindful Mix (m002ppkj)
Mindful classical music to refresh your focus

Relax and reset your mind with three hours of soothing classical music paired with transportive soundscapes from the natural world.

This mix includes symphonic works by Joseph Haydn and Ralph Vaughan Williams, choral excellence by Adolphus Hailstork and Cecilia McDowall, and comforting piano pieces by Hideyuki Hashimoto and Erik Satie.

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


TUE 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002c1cz)
Find balance with relaxing 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 music from the likes of Eric Whitacre, Hildur Gudnadóttir and Joseph Haydn. Plus, a chance to Press Pause with Niall, and some essential Wind Down Wisdom from science podcaster Caroline Steel, focussing on how expressing emotions in words can ease stress.

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


TUE 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002pblz)
Head into relaxation with Fireflies in the Garden and Solaris.

Head into the relaxing worlds of film and TV soundtracks with Edith Bowman. Featuring music from Solaris by Cliff Martinez and Fireflies in the Garden by Alexander Malter. Plus Johnny Greenwood's collaboration with Lynne Ramsay on her film, You Were Never Really Here featuring players from the London Contemporary Orchestra.

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


TUE 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m001kvsp)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 2

Soothing sounds of spring feat. Arlo Parks

Join Icelandic composer and pianist Ólafur Arnalds for another unique musical journey that seeks to find that all too elusive feeling of calm.

In this episode, Ólafur takes his lead from the blossoming abundance of this time of year, with music inspired by the joys of spring. He selects songs that feel like emerging from the cold of winter into the sun, with pieces from Christian Löffler, Virginia Astley and Hania Rani.

Plus the Mercury Prize winning singer-songwriter Arlo Parks selects her sonic safe haven - the piece of music that brings her ultimate calm. Arlo shares the track that she says is her ‘brain toothpaste’ - a piece of ambient music from an old video game, that gives her the space to think.

Produced by Katie Callin.
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds.


TUE 22:00 Night Tracks (m002vxn7)
Immersive music for late night listening

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


TUE 23:30 The Sleeping Forecast (m0024qz8)
A gentle soundtrack to help you drift away

Drift off with the dreamy tones of Radio 4’s Shipping Forecast, set to soothing classical compositions from BBC Introducing and peaceful rainforest sounds from the BBC’s archives.

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 13 MAY 2026

WED 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m002w5sb)
A ferry ride through the fjords

A gentle ferry ride through the fjords, with distant seabirds and restful classical music. A perfect soundtrack to help guide you to a peaceful slumber.

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

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


WED 06:00 Mindful Mix (m002cqgc)
Peaceful classical pieces to lift your day

Embrace quiet moments with a selection of gentle classical pieces, filled with soft textures and reflective melodies to help settle the mind.

With reflective music by Olivia Belli, Alis Huws, and Paul Smith, and calming works by Erik Satie, Gabriel Fauré, and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. This mix invites you to pause, breathe, and simply be.

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


WED 09:00 Classical Unwind (m0029p7q)
Guide your morning with the serene sounds of 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 beautiful and enriching melodies from Mendelssohn, Rosey Chan, and Henryk Górecki, this episode explores the benefit of enjoying the moments of happiness we can find if we stop to notice them. Plus, Professor Catherine Loveday explains how music can be used to change our patterns of behaviour.


WED 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.'


WED 14:00 Mindful Mix (m002g1f0)
Peaceful Proms Special: Restful melodies to calm the mind

Enjoy a peaceful Proms morning with this three hour collection of the most mindful classical pieces that have been performed at the BBC Proms.

This mix features Ronald Binge’s Sailing By as part of 100 Years of the Shipping Forecast Prom, William Grant Still’s Elegy, which was performed by Isabelle Demers in 2023, and a string quartet by Doreen Carwithen which was programmed in Liverpool in 2022.

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


WED 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002bztb)
Clear the mind with beautiful 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 Haydn, Hania Rani and Hideyuki Hashimoto. Plus a chance to Press Pause with meditation teacher Michael James Wong, and some essential Wind Down Wisdom from science podcaster Caroline Steel on how we can help ourselves by helping others.

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


WED 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002w87v)
Take a moment with music from The Sound of Silence and The Theory of Everything

Take a moment with some relaxing movie music with Edith Bowman. Featuring scores from The Sound of Silence and The Theory of Everything. Also, Tatiana Lisovskaya's beautiful score for At Eternity's Gate, and music by Coby Brown from The Man Who Knew Infinity.

Produced by Tom Pooley
Assistant Producer Naava Abigail Busenze
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind


WED 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m001kvtd)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 2

Lose yourself in musical memories feat. Dustin O’Halloran

Join Icelandic composer and pianist Ólafur Arnalds for another unique musical journey that seeks to find that all too elusive feeling of calm.

Prepare your rose-tinted glasses for this episode, as Ólafur leans into nostalgia with a selection of reminiscent music. He reflects on the power that music has to transport you to the past, and plays sentimental songs from Vangelis, Yiruma and Mette Henriette.

Plus the Oscar-nominated American composer and pianist Dustin O’Halloran selects his sonic safe haven - the piece of music that brings him ultimate calm. Dustin takes us down memory lane with a record that he always returns to as an escape.

Produced by Katie Callin.
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds.


WED 22:00 Night Tracks (m002vyx1)
Dissolve into a nocturnal soundworld

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


WED 23:30 The Sleeping Forecast (m0025d0f)
A sleepy soundtrack to help you unwind

Fall into a deep sleep with a dreamy mix of relaxing classical music from BBC Introducing artists paired with Radio 4’s Shipping Forecast and the tranquil sounds of rain in a silk wood forest.

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

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

THURSDAY 14 MAY 2026

THU 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m0024qzb)
Roam amidst the mountain mist

Drift away with a mix of natural sounds and gentle classical music. Immerse yourself in the fresh alpine air at the peak of the mountain - with composers Bach, Brahms and Bizet lulling you towards peaceful slumber.

Sleep Tracks on BBC Radio 3 Unwind combines soothing classical music and calming sounds to help you relax into sleep. Search Sleep Tracks on BBC Sounds to enjoy more episodes. To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Sleep Tracks.

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


THU 06:00 Mindful Mix (m0027s1j)
Escape into a world of relaxing classical music

Enjoy the calming sounds of classical music, to bring a sense of tranquillity and reflection into your day. Featuring soothing solo piano from Hayato Sumino, Germaine Tailleferre, and Robert Nathaniel Dett. Plus glowing choral harmonies from Ivo Antognini, Imogen Holst, and Rebecca Dale. And orchestral works from Frederick Delius, Rachel Portman, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

This mix is ideal for unwinding after a busy day, or simply finding peace in the small moments.

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


THU 09:00 Classical Unwind (m002pnq7)
Refresh your day with gentle 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 soothing, uplifting classical harmonies from Saint-Saens, Tabakova and Szymanowski. Professor Catherine Loveday explains how music can affect how things taste, and Sian takes her worries on a walk.


THU 12:00 Piano Focus (m002w667)
Restorative piano music for peace of mind

From the timeless melodies of Florence Beatrice Price and Erik Satie to the contemplative contemporary works of Lucy Claire and Joep Beving, this handcrafted piano mix is designed to restore calm and balance to your day - helping you focus on the task at hand, fuel creativity, or simply unwind.

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 (m002q0vr)
Flowing classical sounds for tranquil moments

Escape the stresses of the busy day and unwind with a peaceful selection of classical music. This collection of soothing piano, orchestral, and choral pieces is perfect for moments of stillness and quiet.

Featuring flowing harmonies from Eric Whitacre, Ken Burton, and David Briggs, and beautiful melodies from Florence Price, William Walton, Imogen Holst, and more.

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


THU 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002c05q)
Ease the senses with calming 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 music from the likes of Mozart, Eric Whitacre and Poppy Ackroyd. Plus, a chance to Press Pause with Michael James Wong, and some essential Wind Down Wisdom from science podcaster Caroline Steel, focussing on how spending time with friends can ease stress.

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


THU 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002q0sj)
Find a place of calm with Sense and Sensibility and Secrets of the Sea

Escape into the calming musical worlds of film and TV with Edith Bowman. Featuring Mary Shelly by Amelia Warner and Patrick Doyle's Sense and Sensibility. Plus a moment from the The Da Vinci Code by Hans Zimmer and Richard Harvey.

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


THU 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m001lc0j)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 2

Songs of wanderlust feat. Chris Burkard

Join Icelandic composer and pianist Ólafur Arnalds for another unique musical adventure to seek out that all too elusive feeling of calm.

Let Ólafur whisk you away from it all with a selection of songs inspired by the desire to travel the world. Ólafur shares music from the likes of Jóhann Jóhannsson, Alexandra Stréliski and Yumiko Morioka, and reflects on how music can be a way to fulfil urges to explore without leaving your home, transporting you out of your surroundings to an idyllic sonic escape.

Plus, the American photographer and director Chris Burkard selects his sonic safe haven - the piece of music that brings him ultimate calm. He picks a reflective track that brings him peace no matter where he is in the world and makes him feel grateful.

Produced by Katie Callin.
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds.


THU 22:00 Night Tracks (m002vxrv)
Eclectic music for after dark

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


THU 23:30 The Sleeping Forecast (m0025vr4)
Settle into sleep with this gentle soundtrack

Get settled and prepare for a deep, restorative sleep with this peaceful mix of classical sounds from BBC Introducing artists, paired with the relaxing sounds of the weather reports and forecasts for the seas around the British Isles from Radio 4’s iconic Shipping Forecast.

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

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

FRIDAY 15 MAY 2026

FRI 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m0024r1l)
Dive into ocean depths

Dive into the deepest sleep with a mix of subaquatic sounds and ebbing classical music. Doze to whale song and hypnotic waves - 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.


FRI 06:00 Mindful Mix (m0027s5p)
Classical tunes for a moment of stillness

Take a step back from the busyness of daily life and pause for a moment of stillness with this classical music mix. These three hours feature orchestral delights performed by the BBC orchestras from Eric Coates and Cipriani Potter, as well as choral arrangements from Robert Nathaniel Dett and Joanna Marsh.

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


FRI 09:00 Classical Unwind (m0024qx7)
Focus for the morning with stress-busting music

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 uplifting and peaceful melodies from Fauré, Caroline Shaw, and Samuel Barber. Plus we learn why sad music might just lift our mood, and Sian explores the delights of walking barefoot.


FRI 12:00 Piano Focus (m002c3q5)
Soothing piano sounds to block out distraction

Block out the noise and immerse yourself in a calming piano soundtrack, curated to help you focus – whether you're working, studying, or unwinding with a hobby. Discover beautiful new pieces from British female composers like Poppy Ackroyd, Alanna Crouch and Cerys Hafana, alongside timeless works by classical greats including Chopin, Cohen and Beethoven.

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.'


FRI 14:00 Mindful Mix (m002w612)
Capture a moment to yourself with stress-busting classical.


FRI 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002c3q7)
Relax into the night with music to soothe the mind

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 Haydn, Philip Glass and Hélène de Montgeroult. Plus, a chance to Press Pause with Niall, and some essential Wind Down Wisdom from science podcaster Caroline Steel on the wellbeing benefits of shared rituals.

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


FRI 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002pphs)
Drift away with music from The Last Repair Shop and Cool Hand Luke

Drift into the relaxing worlds of film and TV soundtracks with Edith Bowman. Featuring The Last Repair Shop by Katya Richardson and Lalo Schifrin's Cool Hand Luke. Plus a moment from Princess and the Frog by Randy Newman and Isobel Waller-Bridge's Wicked Little Letters.

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


FRI 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m001lklc)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 2

Calm tracks to inspire confidence ft. Alfa Mist

Join Icelandic composer and pianist Ólafur Arnalds for another musical journey looking for that all too elusive feeling of calm.

In this episode Ólafur reflects on how music can help boost your confidence and improve your mood, with uplifting tracks from Hildur Guðnadóttir, Kronos Quartet and Hilary Hahn.

Plus the British musician, producer and composer Alfa Mist selects his sonic safe haven - the piece of music that brings him ultimate calm. He shares a textural track that reflects his mood when he’s most relaxed, reflecting on how simple chord structures can put you at ease.

Produced by Katie Callin.
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds.


FRI 22:00 Night Tracks (m002v1x6)
Eclectic music for after dark

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


FRI 23:30 The Sleeping Forecast (m0026n8q)
Treat yourself to a good night's rest

Fall sound asleep with the help of soothing classical music from BBC Introducing artists, paired with weather reports and forecasts from Radio 4’s The Shipping Forecast and peaceful wintery field recordings.

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."