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Embrace tranquility with a feast of mindful music

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

Three hours of calming classical music to help you release the stresses of the day, recharge and prepare to rest - presented by Irish musician and mindfulness expert Niall Breslin.

This episode features a rich blend of music from the likes of Handel, Holst and Milena Casado. 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 paying attention to your breath can reduce stress and anxiety.

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

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Music Played

  • Alexander Scriabin

    Prelude in B major, Op 16 No 1

    Performer: Arsha Kaviani.
    • SRSLY.

  • Frédéric Chopin

    Etude in E major, Op 10 No 3 (Tristesse) arr. for cello & piano

    Performer: Camille Thomas. Performer: Julien Brocal.
    • Universal Music Division Decca Records France.

  • Sergei Rachmaninov

    Vocalise

    Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Andrew Davis.

  • Louis Philippson

    Fur Elise Variation (after Beethoven's Bagatelle No 25 in A minor)

    Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven. Performer: Louis Philippson.
    • Masterworks/Sony Music.

  • Luise Adolpha Le Beau

    Symphony No 1 (2nd mvt)

    Orchestra: BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Geoffrey Paterson.

  • Ryuichi Sakamoto

    Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence

    Orchestra: Orchestra of the Swan.
    • Signum Classics.

  • Alanna Crouch

    The First Snow

    Performer: Alanna Crouch.
    • Piano and Nature.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Double Concerto in D minor BWV.1043 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Rachel Podger. Ensemble: Brecon Baroque.
    • Channel Classics.

  • Vicente Lusitano

    Regina caeli

    Choir: Marian Consort. Director: Rory McCleery.
    • Linn Records.

  • Joep Beving

    Sleeping Lotus (redux)

    Performer: Joep Beving.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • George Frideric Handel

    Minuet in G minor, HWV 434 No 4 (arr. for harp & piano by Jan-Peter Klopfel)

    Performer: Xavier de Maistre. Performer: Julien Quentin.
    • Sony Classical/Sony Music.

  • Bernard Andrès

    Autumn Dance No 5

    Performer: Anda Eglīte.
    • Prima Classic.

  • Peter Warlock

    Serenade

    Orchestra: BBC Concert Orchestra. Conductor: David Hill.
    • EMF Endeavours.

  • Franz Schubert

    Entr'acte in B flat major from Rosamunde

    Orchestra: Insula Orchestra. Conductor: Laurence Equilbey.
    • Warner Classics.

  • Marie Awadis

    Through the Window (Study No 8)

    Performer: Marie Awadis.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).

  • Robert Schumann

    Romance, Op 94 No 1

    Performer: Andreas Ottensamer. Performer: José Gallardo.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).

  • Grace Williams

    Penillion (1st mvt)

    Orchestra: BBC National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Tadaaki Otaka.

  • Domenico Scarlatti

    Keyboard sonata in D minor, K 32 (Aria)

    Performer: JaeYeon Won.
    • Onyx Classics.

  • Lucy Walker

    Give Me Your Stars

    Composer: Sara Teasdale. Ensemble: VOCES8.
    • Decca Music Group Ltd..

  • Ernest Chausson

    Pièce in C Major for Cello and Orchestra

    Performer: David Delacroix. Conductor: Ivor Bolton. Orchestra: Symphony Orchestra Basel.
    • Prospero Classical.

  • Liam Taylor-West

    A Slow Breath

    Orchestra: BBC Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Ben Palmer.

  • Seckou Keita

    Missing You Forever

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

  • Thomas Adès

    Dawn, Chacony for orchestra at any distance

    Orchestra: Hallé. Conductor: Thomas Adès.
    • Halle Concerts Society.

  • Garreth Broke & Simeon Walker

    Rise and Fall

    • Bigo & Twigetti.

  • Gerald Finzi

    Five Bagatelles for clarinet and piano, Op 23 No 4: Forlana

    Performer: Michael Collins. Performer: Michael McHale.
    • Chandos.

  • Gustav Holst

    Neptune (The Planets, Op 32)

    Choir: Vancouver Bach Choir. Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Yan Pascal Tortelier.

  • Stephan Moccio

    Candle Flickers (Adagio)

    Composer: Peter Gregson. Performer: Stephan Moccio. Performer: Peter Gregson.
    • Decca (UMO) (Classics).

  • Javier Escudero

    Beautiful Night

    Performer: Javier Escudero.
    • Télès Music.

  • Sarah Neutkens

    September IV

    Ensemble: Nederlands Saxofoon Octet.
    • Sarah Neutkens.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Piano Concerto No 20 in D minor, K 466 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Khatia Buniatishvili. Orchestra: Academy of St Martin in the Fields.
    • Sony Classical.

  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Nocturne from A Midsummer Night's Dream

    Orchestra: BBC Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Jiří Bělohlávek.

  • Alain Lefèvre

    Consolation

    Performer: Alain Lefèvre.
    • Warner Classics.

  • Eleanor Dunnet

    Exhale

    Conductor: David Hill. Choir: BBC Singers. Orchestra: BBC Concert Orchestra.

  • Anoushka Shankar

    Prayer In Passing

    • Angel Records.

  • Zeynep Sophia

    Erase Me

    Performer: Zeynep Sophia.
    • Zeynep Sophia.

  • Milena Casado

    Lidia y los libros

    Performer: Milena Casado. Performer: Brandee Younger. Performer: Nicole Mitchell.
    • Candid Records.

  • Eric Whitacre

    Lux Aurumque

    Choir: Pembroke College Chapel Choir. Conductor: Anna Lapwood.
    • Signum Classics.

Broadcasts

  • Wed 16 Jul 202517:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind
  • Sun 10 Aug 202517:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind
  • Wed 24 Sep 202517:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind
  • Yesterday17:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind