SATURDAY 02 MAY 2026
SAT 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m002qgr0)
Space out on a spaceship
Space out on a spaceship. Float away with a mix of stellar classical music and celestial sounds - a perfect soundtrack to help launch you toward 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.
SAT 06:00 Mindful Mix (m002tbzb)
Serene classical tones for mindful moments
Immerse yourself in calming classical music. From gentle piano solos to soothing orchestral arrangements and glowing choral harmonies - chosen to help you find small moments of peace amid your busy day.
Featuring flowing sounds by Edward Elgar, Hayato Sumino, Lucy Walker, Mars Smith, Erik Satie and more.
Produced by James C Taylor
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind, MM.
SAT 09:00 Classical Unwind (m0027bwg)
Ease into the morning with peaceful 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 energising, beautiful music from Alexandra Streliski, John Rutter, and Beethoven, this episode explores the joy of the late afternoon sun. Plus, Professor Catherine Loveday explores the parallels between music and language.
SAT 12:00 Piano Focus (m002qgw0)
Enchanting piano pieces to support you through the day
Traversing oceans, this mix gathers the best of classical and contemporary piano from across continents and eras, drifting from the refinement of Romantic classics to contemporary experiments in modern piano. It’s a dreamy journey through the instrument’s rich legacy, tender, poignant, and quietly commanding. British composer Frederick Delius invites us in with his pastoral impressionism, while Ylva Skog engages us with restrained grandeur.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say: 'Ask BBC Sounds to play Piano Focus'.
Produced by Áine Devaney.
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Sounds MM.
SAT 14:00 Mindful Mix (m002dphk)
Gentle music for peace and quiet
Indulge in the calming classical sounds of this 3 hour mix, and let the music surround you.
Featuring sumptuous choral harmonies from Lucy Walker and Will Todd, orchestral favourites from Maurice Ravel and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and period instrumentation from George Friedrich Handel and Leonora Duarte.
Plus, recent releases from the Deutsches Symphonie Orchester, The Sixteen, and Xuefei Yang, all paired with soothing soundscapes from the natural world.
Produced by Katie Hill
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM
SAT 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002tm3g)
Find calm with a classical music playlist for the evening
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 Karl Jenkins, Clemence de Grandval and Mozart. Plus, a chance to Press Pause with Michael James Wong and some essential Wind Down Wisdom from science podcaster Caroline Steel on the benefits of looking out the window.
To listen on most smart speakers, just ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Wind Down.
SAT 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002tn2m)
Take a moment of calm with Elemental and Coraline
Drift into the calming worlds of film and TV soundtracks with Edith Bowman. Featuring Thomas Newman's Elemental and a moment from Coraline by Bruno Coulais. Plus Hannah Peel's Midwinter Break, Little Wing by Anne Nikitin and the closing credits from Moonlight by Nicholas Britell.
Produced by Lucy Winter
Assistant Producer Naava Abigail Busenze
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind
SAT 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m001dy67)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 1
Sunrise-inspired sounds feat. Ry X
Icelandic composer and pianist Ólafur Arnalds guides us on another hour-long musical journey into calm.
This week, Ólafur takes inspiration from one his favourite times of day - dawn. He shares music that captures the beauty of sunrises in sound from Kara-Lis Coverdale, Arvo Pärt and Dustin O’Halloran, and reflects on how dawn seems to be the time that most of his ideas come to him.
Plus the Australian singer and songwriter Ry X transports us to his safe haven, the place he feels most calm, with the soothing sounds of the waves on the coast of California where he lives.
Produced by Katie Callin
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds
SAT 22:00 Night Tracks (m002t9vm)
Harmonious music for nighttime listening
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 (m002lb27)
Drift away to a restful night's sleep with help from Bob Harris
Join Radio 2's broadcasting icon ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris as he reads excerpts from Radio 4’s Shipping Forecast to a soundtrack of dreamy, comforting music from BBC Introducing artists and sounds of peaceful rivers and woodland; to help you cast off the stresses of the day and settle in for a good night’s rest.
Produced by Alex Yates.
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind.
To listen on most smart speakers just 'ask BBC Sounds to play The Sleeping Forecast'.
SUNDAY 03 MAY 2026
SUN 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m002qqm8)
Amble across the Alps
A charming getaway to one of the world's most calming regions. Step lightly into a scenic sonic journey through peaceful mountain trails, accompanied by musical works from great French and Italian composers.
Sleep Tracks on BBC Radio 3 Unwind combines soothing classical music and leisurely nature sounds to help you relax into sleep. Search 'Sleep Tracks' on BBC Sounds to enjoy more episodes.
Produced by Alice Boyd & Joy Nkoyo.
A Peanut & Crumb production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind.
SUN 06:00 Mindful Mix (m0027bg0)
Classical music 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 Rachel Portman, John Rutter, and Morten Lauridsen. And beautiful melodies from George Walker, Margaret Bonds, William Byrd and more.
Produced by James C Taylor
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind, MM
SUN 09:00 Classical Unwind (m002tn2k)
Bring warmth to your morning 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 beautiful melodies, and spine tingling harmonies from composers including William Grant Still, Imogen Holst, and Robert Schumann, Sian is captivated by the sound of a blackbird while out to Take a Breath, and Professor Catherine Loveday explores whether musical training can help with our memory. Also, your daily chance to Find Your Focus comes courtesy of composer and harpist Catrin Finch.
SUN 12:00 Piano Focus (m0024qzg)
Tranquil piano music for inspiration
Boost your motivation and lift your spirits with this two-hour mix of tranquil and soothing piano pieces, ideal for a focused work session. Featuring piano classics by Claude Debussy, Clara Schuman and Edward Elgar, as well as a modern piece from UK-based virtuosic pianist Belle Chen’s new album and music from composer Joanne Gardiner.
Produced by Alexa Kruger
A Reduced Listening Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind, MM.
SUN 14:00 Mindful Mix (m002d1b0)
Float away into a world of classical calm
Press play and enjoy relaxing into this 3 hour mix of calming classical music chosen carefully to help you unwind.
Featuring orchestral favourites from Georges Bizet and Edward Elgar, along with restful piano from Montague Ring and Maurice Ravel and soothing choral tones from Stephen Foster and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, plus recent releases from Esther Abrami, Nicholas Daniel and Anna Shelest, all paired with soothing soundscapes from the natural world.
Produced by Katie Hill
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM
SUN 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002kyml)
Draw a line under the day with calming 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 Samuel Barber, Rebecca Dale and Dalal. 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 crafting her own jewellery improves her wellbeing.
To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Wind Down.
SUN 20:00 The Music & Meditation Podcast (m002tkp8)
Series 6
Nurture kindness and compassion with Sharon Salzberg
Izzy and Sharon Salzberg share how meditation can help nurture kindness and compassion for ourselves and others. Sharon is a meditation teacher and author who leads a guided meditation inspired by the loving-kindness practice to help us reconnect with warmth, generosity and care.
The music that soundtracks Sharon's guided meditation was composed by Niamh O'Donnell and recorded by the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra exclusively for this episode.
Whether you're just starting to meditate or you're a seasoned meditator, this is the perfect podcast for you.
Music heard in this episode:
Mendelssohn: Song without Words Op. 19 No. 1
Niamh O'Donnell: Dusk Ruminations
Faure: Apres un reve
Palestrina: Missa Hodie Christus Natus Est Sanctus
SUN 20:30 Classical Mixtape (m002bsl3)
Music for Rest and Recovery
As part of the BBC's Wellbeing Week, Radio 3 Unwind's Niall Breslin curates a mixtape on the theme of Rest and Recovery.
We start off with a Berceuse, or lullaby, by Amy Beach to sink us straight into a restful state. Edward MacDowell’s Starlight is a picture of the sea on a starry night – being by water often brings about a sense of awe, shifting us into an almost-meditative state that promotes relaxation. We travel on to the Isles of Greece with John Foulds, a timeless piece of light music drenched in sunshine to calm our nervous systems, and Voces8 provide us with the chance to rest and reflect in their transcendent setting of Sigur Ros’ Fljotavik.
Produced by Ella Lee
SUN 21:00 Soundwaves (m00274ry)
Enter a world of calm with beautiful new music
Afrodeutsche hosts an hour of immersive new music from the UK’s brightest contemporary composers and performers. Featuring an escapist mix of music from the likes of Lomond Campbell, Rosey Chan and the London Ambient Orchestra, plus BBC Introducing emerging artists.
To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Soundwaves.
SUN 22:00 Night Tracks (m002tcc2)
Blissful sounds for night owls
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 (m002t97l)
A soundtrack to a good night’s rest
Settle down and drift away to a good night’s rest with this sleepy soundtrack of calming classical and ambient music from BBC Introducing artists, paired with excerpts from Radio 4’s Shipping Forecast and sounds of windswept woodlands and gentle streams.
Produced by Alex Yates
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind
To listen on most smart speakers, just 'ask BBC Sounds to play The Sleeping Forecast'.
MONDAY 04 MAY 2026
MON 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m002r3hz)
Melt away with the snow
Sheets of ice and snow melt into a stream, floating you gently towards sleep. Immerse yourself in the peaceful environmental sounds of a warm winter's day, as orchestral music drifts by.
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 (m002bk72)
Serene classical sounds to calm the mind
Relax and rebalance with a mix of soft orchestral pieces, reflective piano, and serene choral works. Featuring timeless classics and modern compositions, to create space for rest and help you find moments of peace.
With classical favourites by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Johannes Brahms and Johann Sebastian Bach, and newer works by Olivia Beli, Caroline Shaw, Max Richter, and more.
Produced by James C Taylor
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM
MON 09:00 Classical Unwind (m002vvlh)
Start the day the right way with beautiful 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 calming melodies to help you recharge for the day ahead from composers including Respighi, Farrenc, and Gregorio Allegri. Sian explores the scientific basis for the benefits of getting out into nature while out to Take a Breath, Professor Catherine Loveday explains why listening to music might make you complete a task quicker, and your daily chance to Find Your Focus comes courtesy of the music of Olivia Belli.
MON 12:00 Piano Focus (m0028hf8)
Arrive into a space of calm and clarity
Time to find calm and clarity with the help of this carefully-curated piano mix. Serene works by classical greats like Maurice Ravel, Dmitri Shostakovich and Frank Bridge are interwoven with captivating pieces by contemporary voices including Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch, Kelly Moran and Sarah Neutkens. Expect ethereal tones from Harold Budd, introspective keyboard ruminations from Rachel Grimes and the sound of Ludovico Einaudi’s homespun piano melodies.
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 (m002981h)
Captivating melodies for classical calm
Tune in to this edition of the Mindful Mix and relax into three hours of soothing classical music.
Featuring gorgeous orchestral classics from Ottorino Respighi and Edward Elgar, contemporary choral from Eric Whitacre and Lucy Walker, alongside thoughtful pieces from Eri Ishibashi and Hanna Havrylets.
Produced by Katie Hill
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM
MON 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002lb3w)
Ease your cares with a soothing 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 Eric Whitacre, Brahms and Kara-Lis Coverdale. 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 playing video games.
To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Wind Down.
MON 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002t95k)
Find peace with Minari and The Hours
Head to the peaceful worlds of film and TV soundtracks with Edith Bowman. With Emile Mosseri's Minari and music from The Hours by Philip Glass. Plus Frya Arde's Klandestin and Justin Hurwitz's score for First Man about the deeply personal journey of Neil Armstrong.
Produced by Lucy Winter
Assistant Producer Naava Abigail Busenze
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind
MON 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m001f5sw)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 1
Calming cinematic soundtracks feat. Isobel Waller-Bridge
Escape with Icelandic composer and pianist Ólafur Arnalds for another hour-long musical journey into calmness.
In this week’s episode, Ólafur flicks through his film collection to share some of his favourite scores and soundtracks that totally transport their audiences, painting pictures through sound. There’ll be the sounds of deep-sea diving, wanders through the wilderness and even the most peaceful-sounding alien invasion from composers like Jóhann Jóhannsson, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Galya Bisengalieva.
Plus the British composer Isobel Waller-Bridge invites us to join her in her safe haven, the place she feels most calm, listening to the birds and the wind through the trees on Hampstead Heath in London.
Produced by Katie Callin
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds
MON 22:00 Night Tracks (m002vnqv)
Blissful sounds for night owls
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 (m002q0sl)
Safe passage to a restful night
Navigate your way to a restful sleep with help from this relaxing classical and ambient mix of music from BBC Introducing artists; paired with excerpts from Radio 4’s Shipping Forecast and sounds of gentle forest streams and sleepy farmsteads.
Produced by Alex Yates
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'.
TUESDAY 05 MAY 2026
TUE 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m0024qvt)
Wander through the woods
Drift off to a mix of woodland sounds and restful classical music. Doze off to immersive sounds of birds singing, boots crunching and the gentle sound of water flowing - 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 (m0027bwj)
Float into a world of classical calm
Allow this three hour mix of classical music to transport you to a place of complete calm. Featuring the subtle piano melodies of Alexis Ffrench and Maurice Ravel, the floating vocals from William Henry Harris and Hildegard Von Bingen, and orchestral warmth from Ralph Vaughan Williams and Florence Price.
Produced by Katie Hill
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM
TUE 09:00 Classical Unwind (m0027l7b)
Discover a brighter morning 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 peaceful and enriching melodies from Poldowski, Tippett, and Beethoven, while out to take a breath, Sian marvels at how plants always find light to grow towards. Plus, Professor Catherine Loveday explores the benefits of listening to music during labour.
TUE 12:00 Piano Focus (m0028s1p)
Soft piano music to soundtrack your work
A mix of simple and tranquil piano music to aid your attention. With music from contemporary British artists such as Emma Jackson, Erland Cooper and Rosey Chan alongside legendary Romantic composers Sergei Rachmaninoff and Frédéric Chopin. Plus a Lullaby for Erik Satie, courtesy of Simon Rackham, and Ethel Smyth’s Nocturne.
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.'
TUE 14:00 Mindful Mix (m002cbcm)
Calming music for moments of reflection
Take a deep breath, hit play, and sink into this peaceful collection of classical music, carefully chosen to help you relax. This mix features orchestral favourites from Johannes Brahms and Gabriel Faure, alongside the chamber music of Dmitri Shostakovich and Sergey Akhunov, as well as the choral delights of Kerensa Briggs and Kristina Arakelyan.
Plus, recent releases from the National Youth Choir of Great Britain, Anna Lapwood and Jess Gillam, all paired with soothing soundscapes from the natural world.
Produced by Katie Hill
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM
TUE 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002vybp)
Welcome the evening with a calming classical playlist
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 Amy Beach, Doming Lam and Mozart. 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 watering houseplants can help untangle your mind.
To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Wind Down.
TUE 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002nrf9)
Find a moment of peace with Colette and Moana
Find the most peaceful music from film and TV with Edith Bowman. Featuring Colette by Alti Örvasson and a relaxing moment from Moana by Mark Mancina. Plus Pinar Toprak's score for the documentary film The Tides of Fate and the iconic music of Ennio Morricone from The Untouchables.
Produced by Lucy Winter
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind
TUE 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m001ff07)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 1
Blissful body-related music feat. Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
Take a deep breath and join Icelandic composer and pianist Ólafur Arnalds for another hour-long musical journey into calm.
This week, Ólafur looks inwards with a selection of music inspired by the body. He reflects on the importance of focusing on your breath and the sound of your own heartbeat in order to ground yourself, and shares music from Julianna Barwick, Ben Lukas Boysen and Richard Reed Parry.
Plus the American composer Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith transports us to her Safe Haven, the place where she feels the most calm - inside herself.
Produced by Katie Callin
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds
TUE 22:00 Night Tracks (m002vlf4)
Meditative music for late night solace
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 (m002m26s)
Set sail to tranquillity
Cast off the pressures of the day and settle down for rest with this mix of classical and ambient music from BBC Introducing artists paired with excerpts from Radio 4’s Shipping Forecast and calming sounds of nature.
Produced by Alex Yates
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind
To listen on most smart speakers just 'ask BBC Sounds to play The Sleeping Forecast'.
WEDNESDAY 06 MAY 2026
WED 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m002vybr)
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.
WED 06:00 Mindful Mix (m002bjp7)
Ease into calm with peaceful classical sounds
Relax and unwind from the stresses of the day with a peaceful selection of classical music. This collection of soothing piano, orchestral, and choral pieces is perfect for finding those quiet moments to help you pause and reflect.
Featuring calming classics by Erik Satie, Johannes Brahms, and Maurice Ravel. And gentle melodies from Undine Smith Moore, Teresa Carreño, Don MacDonald, and more.
Produced by James C Taylor
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind, MM
WED 09:00 Classical Unwind (m0027k25)
Brighten your day with comforting 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 gently reassuring melodies from Farrenc, Vaughan Williams, and William Grant Still, this episode explores the benefits of dog walking. Plus, Professor Catherine Loveday explains how humans absorb music from the sounds that surround them.
WED 12:00 Piano Focus (m0029jbz)
Soothing piano for sustained concentration
Block out distraction and enter the flow state with this soothing piano soundtrack designed to aid calm and concentration. The mix features music from legendary classical composers such as Clara Schumann, Ralph Vaughan Williams and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, alongside contemporary British artists including Hidden Rivers, Alanna Crouch and Gareth Malone.
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.'
WED 14:00 Mindful Mix (m002bv0g)
Peaceful tones to bring you stillness
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
WED 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002lb5f)
Slow down 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 Satie, Gabriel Olafs and Maya Youssef . 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 benefits of building your own furniture .
To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Wind Down.
WED 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002nrfy)
Chill out with Blue Moon and Maria
Find a place of calm through film and TV soundtracks with Edith Bowman. Featuring Blue Moon by Graham Reynolds and music from Maria, the biopic about famed opera singer Maria Callas. Plus Ruth Barrett's soundtrack for The Durrells and the end titles from A Very Long Engagement by Angelo Badalamenti.
Produced by Lucy Winter
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind
WED 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m001fnvp)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 1
Soothing music for sleep feat. Dominic Monaghan
Join Icelandic composer and pianist Ólafur Arnalds for another hour-long musical journey seeking out that elusive feeling of calm.
In this episode, Ólafur takes us on a sleepy sonic journey to the land of nod, with a selection of dreamy music. He shares music from Brambles, Debussy and Sigur Ros, and reflects on his own relationship with sleep as well as the curious nature of Icelandic lullabies.
Plus the actor Dominic Monaghan transports us to his Safe Haven, the place where he feels the most calm, with recordings and reflections from his garden.
Produced by Katie Callin
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds
WED 22:00 Night Tracks (m002vmxl)
Nocturnal music to bewitch the senses
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 (p0h7zg99)
Tranquil melodies for a restful night's sleep
Soothing compositions from BBC Introducing, complemented by comforting extracts from The Shipping Forecast on Radio 4.
Produced by Alexa Kruger
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Sounds
To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play The Sleeping Forecast”
THURSDAY 07 MAY 2026
THU 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m0024qwd)
Shelter from the storm
Drift off to a mix of hypnotic stormy sounds and restful classical music. Doze off to immersive sounds of rain, distant thunder and light winds - 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.
THU 06:00 Mindful Mix (m0027jn6)
Classical music for deep relaxation
Let soothing harmonies guide you to place of relaxation. This calming mix of classical music features delicate piano works, gentle orchestral movements, and serene choral pieces, to help you unwind and find peace in quiet moments. With music from Hubert Parry, Frédéric Chopin and Emilie Mayer. Plus Eric Whitacre, Marie Awadis, Lucy Walker, and more.
Produced by James C Taylor
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind, MM
THU 09:00 Classical Unwind (m0027s5g)
Embrace the day with inspiring 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 calming, enchanting melodies from Joe Hisaishi, Anton Bruckner, and Esther Mägi, this episode explores whether practise can create musical genius, or whether people are born with innate musical talent. Plus, Sian takes a breath on a boat trip across a lake in Italy.
THU 12:00 Piano Focus (m002vvrk)
Delicate piano to quietly guide your day
Fluttering piano pieces unfold across centuries, from the lyricism of Ottorino Respighi and Maurice Ravel to the suspended textures of Kara-Lis Coverdale and Kelly Moran. Contemporary voices, including London’s Coby Sey, bring a soft, genre-blurring warmth, shaping a mix designed to steady the pace and guide focus.
Produced by Áine Devaney.
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Sounds.
THU 14:00 Mindful Mix (m002vvqg)
Soothe your mind with restful classical tunes
Enjoy this collection of classical music to calm your busy mind and fill your cup. Paired with natural soundscapes, this mix features sweeping orchestral arrangements from Rachel Portman and Rahul Gohil, calming piano by Frederic Chopin and Roger Eno, and soothing choral harmonies by Hanna Havrylets and William Byrd.
Produced by Katie Hill.
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM.
THU 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002lm6t)
Wind down and take it easy 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 Mozart, Jocelyn Pook and George Walker. 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 an evening walk with a friend can help restore calm.
To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Wind Down.
THU 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002pblq)
Find calming musical moments with The English Patient and Dances With Wolves
Find a calming moment through the music of film and TV with Edith Bowman. Featuring John Barry's classic score for Dances With Wolves and Hannah Peel's Silent Roar. Plus Julia Steinberg's performance of Aria from the Goldberg Variations which was used to great effect in The English Patient alongside the original score from Gabriel Yared.
Produced by Lucy Winter
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind
THU 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m001fx0n)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 1
Calm music for stormy weather feat. Arooj Aftab
Join Icelandic composer and pianist Ólafur Arnalds for another hour-long musical journey that seeks to find that elusive feeling of calm.
In this episode, Ólafur puts his head into the clouds to look for the calm within the storm, with a selection of music inspired by rain, wind and thunder. He shares music from Chopin, Eydís Evensen and Chihei Hatakeyama, and talks about the comforting effect that the sounds of bad weather can have on you when you’re tucked up inside.
Plus the composer Arooj Aftab transports us to her Safe Haven, the place where she feels the most calm, with a recording from a thunderstorm outside her apartment in New York.
Produced by Katie Callin
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds
THU 22:00 Night Tracks (m002vlhg)
Bewitching sounds for after dark
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 (m0027s1n)
Relaxing music for a peaceful night's sleep.
To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play The Sleeping Forecast”
FRIDAY 08 MAY 2026
FRI 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m0024qwy)
Ride on the waves
Drift off to a mix of ocean wave sounds and restful classical music. Doze off to immersive sounds of lapping waves, ocean breeze and coastal ambience - 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 (m0027jxg)
A classical journey into stillness
Allow this three hour classical mix to accompany your journey into deep stillness. Featuring orchestral favourites from Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and George Freidrich Handel, alongside calming piano from Amy Beach and H. Leslie Adams and choral arrangements from Douglas Guest and Benjamin Britten.
Produced by Katie Hill
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM
FRI 09:00 Classical Unwind (m0027s5m)
Embrace the morning with warm 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 soothing and peaceful music from Scarlatti, Puccini and Belle Chen. Sian takes a breath outside as a storm blows in, and Professor Catherine Loveday explains why music can make us feel emotional.
FRI 12:00 Piano Focus (m0029ppk)
Tranquil piano pieces to summon calm and focus
Immerse yourself in a contemplative soundscape with this carefully curated piano mix. Evocative reveries from York Bowen and Dora Pejačević meet the modern lyricism of Stephen Baysted, Marie Awadis and Christine Ott. Expect cinematic minimalism from British Oscar-winner Daniel Blumberg, ethereal tones from Aaron Tagliaboschi, and quiet introspection from artists such as Hania Rani and Büşra Kayıkçı.
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.'
FRI 14:00 Mindful Mix (p08d63ny)
Sir David Attenborough presents a special nature themed Mindful Mix
Sir David Attenborough introduces a special edition of the Mindful Mix for BBC Nature Week, with his choices of calming classical music accompanied by soothing natural soundscapes. Enjoy beautifully serene tracks by Erik Satie, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Clara Schumann, and more.
First broadcast in May 2020.
FRI 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002lm37)
Relax into the evening with a soundtrack of 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 Vivaldi, Vince Pope and Anoushka Shankar. 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 a tidy kitchen can be the key to a relaxing evening.
To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Wind Down.
FRI 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002vvqq)
Cinematic Soundtracks David Attenborough Special
In honour of Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday, Edith Bowman presents a special edition of Cinematic Soundtracks featuring the music from his landmark BBC programmes. From the music of Edward Williams from 1979's groundbreaking Life on Earth to Hans Zimmer's breathtaking scores to Frozen Planet II and Blue Planet II, Cinematic Soundtracks includes music that spans almost 50 years of David Attenborough's career - much of it recorded by the BBC's own orchestras. There's music from the BBC Concert Orchestra, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and even the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, composed by the likes of George Fenton, Elizabeth Parker, and Jacob Shea.
Produced by Tom Pooley
Assistant Producer Naava Abigail Busenze
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind
FRI 21:00 Ultimate Calm (m001g3lz)
Ólafur Arnalds: Series 1
Hopeful harmonies feat. Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Join Icelandic composer and pianist Ólafur Arnalds for another hour-long musical journey that seeks to find that elusive feeling of calm.
In this week’s episode, Ólafur looks for the silver linings in sound with a selection of songs inspired around the theme of hope. He reflects on how music can often provide the little glimmers of hope that you need to get through the toughest of times, and shares tracks by the likes of Alice Coltrane, Sigur Rós and JFDR.
Plus the British actress and UNHCR goodwill ambassador Gugu Mbatha-Raw transports us to her Safe Haven, the place she feels the most calm - her bath.
Produced by Katie Callin
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds
FRI 22:00 Night Tracks (m002tnp2)
Bewitching sounds for after dark
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 (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”