SATURDAY 30 MAY 2026
SAT 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m002vybr)
Retreat between the reeds
Drift off to the rustle of the reeds with gentle birdsong and 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.
SAT 06:00 Mindful Mix (m002vnf2)
Calming music for mindful moments
Soundtrack your day with mellow classical music to soothe your body and soul.
With warming harmonies by Philip Stopford, Bernard Herrmann, and Avril Coleridge Taylor, plus soft melodies from Erik Satie, and Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Produced by James C Taylor
An Overcoat Media production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind, MM.
SAT 09:00 Classical Unwind (m002btg5)
Breathe new life into your morning 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 enriching, beautiful melodies from Arvo Pärt, Miriam Hyde, and Zoltán Kodály. Sian takes a breath by the seaside and Professor Catherine Loveday explains what happens in the brain when musicians sight-read music.
SAT 12:00 Piano Focus (m002gc13)
Transcendent piano sounds to anchor your mind
Dreamy repose meets elegant refinement in this selection spanning 10 decades of classical and contemporary piano, carefully curated to ease the mind and invite calm. From the softly yawning reverberations of Shida Shahabi to a rare glimpse of György Ligeti’s more Romantic sensibilities, each piece offers space to breathe. British composers Fiona Brice, Duval Timothy, and Conrad Clipper reflect the depth and diversity of the UK’s modern piano landscape, while Isaac Albéniz, Cécile Chaminade, and Reynaldo Hahn bring their own European idiosyncrasies to this delicate, immersive journey.
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 (m002rdvd)
Lose yourself in gentle classical music
Enjoy time to unwind with this selection of calming classical orchestral and piano works - the perfect escape from the stresses of everyday life.
Featuring flowing melodies from Hania Rani, Ēriks Ešenvalds, and Rosey Chan, plus gorgeous classics from Gustav Mahler, Carl Orff, Joseph Haydn and more.
Produced by James C Taylor.
An Overcoat Media production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind, MM.
SAT 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.
SAT 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002vvqq)
Attenborough at 100: Unforgettable soundtracks from Sir David's shows
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.
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 (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.
SAT 23:30 The Sleeping Forecast (m002gl4l)
Celebrate 100 years of the Shipping Forecast with a sleepy journey
Take a restful journey across the British coastline with BBC Introducing artists representing each of the inland coastal stations included in the Shipping Forecast from Radio 4, marking the 100 Years of the Shipping Forecast Prom.
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 31 MAY 2026
SUN 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m00260wg)
Soar with murmurating starlings
Glide into sleep with a mix of airborne environmental sounds and serene, soaring classical music. Drift on a gentle breeze of flapping birds and unflappable 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.
SUN 06:00 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
SUN 09:00 Classical Unwind (m002vvlh)
Start the day right 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.
SUN 12:00 Piano Focus (m002vky2)
Summon calm with contemplative piano sounds
Tune out the noise and settle into a calm, focused headspace with this two hour piano mixtape. Blending timeless works by composers such as Frédéric Chopin, Erik Satie, and Hildegard von Bingen with contemporary voices like Eva Tiedemann, Ryoka Hagiwara, and Gwenno Morgan, the mix moves gently between eras and styles to create a space for reflection and quiet focus.
SUN 14:00 Mindful Mix (m002hjcy)
Relaxing classical sounds to still your mind
Find a moment of calm with this three-hour collection of serene classical pieces from BBC Proms.
Featuring favourites from Frédéric Chopin, J. S. Bach and Florence Beatrice Price, plus gentle recent works by Isobel Waller‑Bridge, Ola Gjeilo and Joby Talbot.
Produced by James C Taylor.
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM.
SUN 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002q0sv)
Let the evening enfold you with a calming musical embrace
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 Max Richter, Johannes Brahms, and Frank Bridge.
Plus, a chance to Press Pause with meditation teacher Maude Hirst, and some essential Wind Down Wisdom from science podcaster Caroline Steel on how flower arranging has the potential to boost your mood.
To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Wind Down.
SUN 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002s4fx)
Find release with Gone with the Wind and Hilma
Soar into the relaxing worlds of film and TV soundtracks with Edith Bowman. Featuring Max Steiner's Gone with the Wind and Hilma by Jon Ekstrand. Plus Ari Posner's Anne with an E and Mac Quayle's work on His & Hers.
Produced by Lucy Winter
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind
SUN 21:00 Soundwaves (m002x3pr)
Voices, strings and synths for musical immersion
Afrodeutsche hosts an hour of escapist and immersive new music from the UK’s brightest contemporary composers and performers.
Featuring music from exploratory Welsh harpist Cerys Hafana, leading light Matthew Halsall and a celebratory Sally Beamish. 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 (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.
SUN 23:30 The Sleeping Forecast (m002vkqx)
Forty winks on the high seas
Find the soundtrack to your sleep with this classical and ambient mix from BBC Introducing artists paired with excerpts of Radio 4’s Shipping Forecast, as well as the calming sounds of rain-soaked woodland and breezy farmsteads.
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'.
MONDAY 01 JUNE 2026
MON 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m00261l6)
Dip into pondlife
Gently sink into sleep with a mix of pond-based sounds and calming classical music. Immerse yourself in an atmosphere of toads, trickling water and tinkling 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 (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
MON 09:00 Classical Unwind (m002x40w)
Begin the day with glorious 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 warming, enriching melodies from composers including Bruckner, Sibelius, and Nadia Boulanger, this morning's chance to Find Your Focus comes courtesy of the music of Fiona Brice. Sian explores the joy of a slower walk around a familiar route and is amazed by how much more she notices around her. Also, Professor Catherine Loveday looks at the role of the cerebellum in how we feel rhythm, and explains why music makes us want to move, and in turn moves us emotionally.
MON 14:00 Mindful Mix (m002lb5m)
Unwind with flowing classical sounds
Calming musical light and shade to uplift your body and mind.
Featuring warm and reflective orchestral textures from George Butterworth, Eric Coates, and Edward Elgar. Plus sweet instrumental sounds by Rachel Portman, Chad Lawson and Florence Price.
Produced by James C Taylor
An Overcoat Media production for BBC Sounds, MM.
MON 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002q0vm)
Ease into the evening 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 Ludovico Einaudi, Errollyn Wallen and Arvo Pärt.
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 DIY has the potential to boost your mood.
To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Wind Down.
MON 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002rqsy)
Relax your mind with City of Angels and Jackie
Drift into the relaxing worlds of film and TV soundtracks with Edith Bowman. Featuring City of Angels by Gabriel Yared and Mica Levi's Jackie. Plus a moment from Nino Rota's score for the 1960 film La Dolce Vita.
Produced by Lucy Winter.
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind.
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 (m002ww2z)
Nocturnal music to bewitch the senses
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 (m002h758)
Peaceful sleep awaits on the high seas
Settle in for a night of restful sleep with this soothing soundtrack of BBC Introducing artists, excerpts from Radio 4’s Shipping Forecast, and field recordings of sleepy lakesides and farmsteads.
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'.
TUESDAY 02 JUNE 2026
TUE 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m00267lc)
Meditate upon the moonrise
Slip into a peaceful state with a mix of nocturnal natural sounds and classical music. Bathe in the light of the moon on a peaceful night, as an orchestra quietly plays - a perfect soundtrack to help guide you to a sleepy state.
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 (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
TUE 09:00 Classical Unwind (m002cb45)
Boost your morning routine with inspiring 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 mellow and tender melodies from Beethoven, Rebecca Dale, and Belle Chen. Professor Catherine Loveday explores how good people are at singing a piece at the right pitch, and Sian takes a breath outside at a favourite childhood haunt.
TUE 12:00 Piano Focus (m002gxll)
Chilled piano music to bring clarity and calm
Embrace the meditative power of the piano. Spanning four centuries, this collection weaves together Romantic-era elegance, early modern expressiveness, post-war avant-garde, and contemporary experimentalism. British composer York Bowen’s Rêverie in B Major drifts like a late summer daydream, while newcomer Cerys Hafana’s airy Eiry sketches a vast, muted landscape from above. Whether rooted in ambient, classical, or minimalist traditions, each piece invites deep listening, quiet reflection, and calm.
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 Radio 3 Unwind. MM.
TUE 14:00 Mindful Mix (m002rqwv)
Calming classical music for mindful focus
Enjoy 3 hours of calming classical music to focus your mind and soul.
Featuring chamber music from Caroline Shaw and Samuel Coleridge Taylor, soothing choral from Albinoni and John Ireland, and orchestral works from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ruth Gipps.
Produced by Katie Hill.
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM.
TUE 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002x3zd)
Settle into the evening with a soothing 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 Alexandra Streliski, George Walker and Catrin Finch. 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 creating space for yourself in your evening.
To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Wind Down.
TUE 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002szrf)
Fly into serenity with H Is For Hawk and My Oxford Year
Glide into the immersive worlds of film and TV soundtracks with Edith Bowman. Featuring H Is for Hawk by Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch and My Oxford Year by Isabella Summers. Plus a moment from Monsters Inc. by Randy Newman and Laura Karpman's American Fiction.
Produced by Lucy Winter
Assistant Producer Naava Abigail Busenze
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind
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 (m002ww5g)
Bewitching sounds for after dark
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 (m002hwnd)
A soundtrack for falling deeply asleep
Drift off to a soundtrack of serene classical music from BBC Introducing artists alongside excerpts of Radio 4’s The 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 03 JUNE 2026
WED 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m002x3zg)
Rain storm in Tenerife
Drift off with the wind and rain on the island of Tenerife, blended with relaxing classical music. A perfect soundtrack to help guide you to a peaceful state of slumber. Produced by Joy Nkoyo.
Sleep Tracks is a Peanut and Crumb production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind.
WED 06:00 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
WED 09:00 Classical Unwind (m002cpt6)
Lift your day with warming classical harmonies
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 inspiring music from Ryuichi Sakamoto, Elizabeth Raum, and Frederick Delius, Sian finds joy in an early morning run. Plus, Professor Catherine Loveday explores how we can use music to curate our lives.
WED 12:00 Piano Focus (m002h7kn)
Enchanting piano music to fuel creativity
Two hours of quiet and focusing piano works. Featuring beautiful interpretations of classics by Maria Herz, Malcolm Arnold and Claude Debussy, alongside luminous neoclassical pieces by Alanna Crouch, Thibault Ravina, and Emma Jackson.
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 (m002hy16)
Peaceful Proms Special: Immersive classical music to ease your 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.
Featuring Elanor Alberga’s Snow White and the Severn Dwarves from 2024’s CBeebies Prom, Keiko Abe’s Michi which premiered at the Proms in 1989, as well as a host of calming classical pieces from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Fanny Mendelssohn, and Benjamin Britten.
Produced by Katie Hill.
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM.
WED 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002qgqy)
Slow down 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 Vaughan Williams, Eric Whitacre and Florence Price. Plus, a chance to Press Pause with Helen Marie, and some essential Wind Down Wisdom from science podcaster Caroline Steel, on how circuit training can help you de-stress from the pressures of your day.
To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Wind Down.
WED 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002x58m)
Relax to the music of Inside Out and Empire of The Sun
Join Edith Bowman for some calming movie music, featuring scores from films that look at the world from a child's perspective. There's music from Inside Out, mid 90s, Empire of the Sun, and many more. Edith takes you on a journey that starts in Lagos in the early 90s, and ends in Yorkshire in the 1960s.
Produced by Tom Pooley
Assistant Producer Naava Abigail Busenze
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind
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 (m002wtvn)
A meditative moonlight soundtrack
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 (m002jgtp)
Settle down with a serene soundtrack
Find comfort and calm with this sleepy mix of BBC Introducing artists; excerpts from Radio 4’s The Shipping Forecast and sounds of nature. Giving you the perfect setting to settle down for the night.
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'.
THURSDAY 04 JUNE 2026
THU 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m00269fs)
Dream on a midsummer night
Conjure up sleep with an evocative mix of magical forest sounds and mesmerising classical music. Dream away while fireflies flitter and the orchestra flutters - a delightful soundtrack to help guide you to a serene 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 (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
THU 09:00 Classical Unwind (m002d048)
Refresh your morning with glowing 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 peaceful, enriching melodies from Rachel Portman, Sibelius and Ólafur Arnalds. Professor Catherine Loveday explores why music can help us sleep, and Sian muses on the importance of looking out for your neighbours.
THU 12:00 Piano Focus (m002x5ct)
Dreamy piano to soften the day
Impressionist piano classics dissolve into ambient minimalism and reverb-softened contemporary reflections, drifting across eras and genres. From the shimmering waters of Maurice Ravel and the nocturnal lyricism of Ottorino Respighi to the suspended textures of Harold Budd, Kara-Lis Coverdale, and Christina Vantzou, the programme unfolds with a dreamlike sense of motion and stillness.
Produced by Áine Devaney.
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Sounds.
THU 14:00 Mindful Mix (m002lmg1)
Comforting classical music to soothe the mind
Press play and sink into relaxation with this three-hour mix of comforting classical music and beautiful soundscapes from the natural world.
Featuring new performances of works by Arthur Bliss, Claude Debussy, and Arvo Pärt, alongside peaceful tracks from Dobrinka Tabakova and William Grant Still.
Produced by Katie Hill.
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM.
THU 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002qjdp)
Shape your evening 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 Amy Beach, Maurice Ravel and Bryce Dessner. Plus, a chance to Press Pause with meditation teacher Maude Hirst, and some essential Wind Down Wisdom from science podcaster Caroline Steel on the benefits of short naps.
To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Wind Down.
THU 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m002mjmw)
Drift into relaxation with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Escape into the relaxing worlds of film and TV soundtracks with Edith Bowman. Featuring Jon Brion's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Fire Inside by Tamar-kali. Plus a choral moment from John Williams' score for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Produced by Lucy Winter
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind
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 (m002wtrc)
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.
THU 23:30 The Sleeping Forecast (m002k185)
Embark on a restful journey to sleep
Relax from the pressures of the day and set sail on the journey to sleep with soothing classical and ambient music from BBC Introducing artists; alongside excerpts from Radio 4’s Shipping Forecast and atmospheric field recordings to help you drift off.
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'.
FRIDAY 05 JUNE 2026
FRI 00:30 Sleep Tracks (m0029pl6)
Bathe beneath waterfalls
Drop into sleep with natural sounds and cool, calming classical music. Immerse yourself in the refreshing sounds of trickling water and tinkling piano 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 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.
FRI 06:00 Mindful Mix (m002vvqg)
Soothe your mind with restful classical tunes
Enjoy this collection of classical music to calm your busy mind. Paired with natural soundscapes, this mix features sweeping orchestral arrangements from Rachel Portman and Rahul Gohil, calming piano by Frédéric 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.
FRI 09:00 Classical Unwind (m002d6vc)
Calm your day with gentle 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 refreshing, and revitalising music from John Foulds, Amy Beach, and Arvo Part. Sian ponders what to do when she finds her garden full of molehills, and Professor Catherine Loveday explores whether classical music can makes a visit to the dentist any more bearable!
FRI 12:00 Piano Focus (m002hjbv)
Drift away with relaxing piano to soften the day
Float through a spacious collection of piano pieces, drawing on the rich lyricism of Romantic-era masters, the cinematic pull of composers like Jonny Greenwood and Gabriel Yared, and the ambient hush of modern visionaries. Maurice Ravel sets the tone with its graceful melancholy, while Elfrida Andrée and John Field offer 19th-century calm with quiet strength. Contemporary selections from Cerys Hafana, Daniel Blumberg, and Peter Chilvers bring new textures and tones—sometimes minimalist, sometimes orchestral, always resonant. Spanning over two centuries, this mix invites you into a contemplative sound world where clarity and calm quietly bloom.
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.
FRI 14:00 Mindful Mix (m002x5jg)
Fill your cup with calming classical music
Tune in and replenish your soul with this curated collection of the best of calm classical music.
Alongside soothing soundscapes from the natural world, this mix features solo piano by Gaetono Donizetti and Franz Liszt, chamber works by William Grant Still and Alma Mahler, and tender choral works by William Henry Harris and Hubert Parry.
Produced by Katie Hill
An Overcoat Media Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind.
FRI 17:00 Classical Wind Down (m002qqm6)
Settle down in a soft bed of 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 Mozart, Elena Kats-Chernin and Roger Eno. Plus, a chance to Press Pause with therapist Helen Marie, and some essential Wind Down Wisdom from science podcaster Caroline Steel on how making and giving your own gifts can help wellbeing.
To listen on most smart speakers just ask BBC Sounds to play Classical Wind Down.
FRI 20:00 Cinematic Soundtracks (m0027s5j)
Lose yourself in captivating scores from Into The Wild and Fargo
Escape into a world of immersive soundtracks with Edith Bowman. Featuring Into The Wild by Eddie Vedder and Jeff Russo's Fargo.
Produced by Lucy Winter.
A Granny Eats Wolf Production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind.
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 (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.
FRI 23:30 The Sleeping Forecast (m002krdq)
Journey to calm with this sleepy soundtrack
Settle down for a good night’s rest with this mix of relaxing classical and ambient sounds from BBC Introducing artists, alongside excerpts from Radio 4’s Shipping Forecast and field recordings of peaceful streams and woodland.
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'.