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Cosy piano sounds to centre the mind

Traversing oceans and generations, this mix gathers piano works from across continents, from early modern masters to todayā€™s bold experimenters reshaping classical form.

Drift away with this cosy mix of mid-winter piano sounds, gathering the best of classical and contemporary piano from across continents and eras. From Alexander Scriabinā€™s fevered Romanticism and Duke Ellingtonā€™s jazz-inflected classical meditations to Kara-Lis Coverdaleā€™s digital poetics and Vanessa Amaraā€™s ambient drift, itā€™s a journey through a century of sound and style.

A Reduced Listening production for BBC Sounds MM.

To listen on most smart speakers, just say: ā€œAsk BBC Sounds to play Piano Focusā€.

26 days left to listen

2 hours

Last on

Saturday12:00
BBC Radio 3 Unwind

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Music Played

  • Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji

    2 Piano Pieces, KSS 17: No. 1, In the Hothouse

    Performer: Michael Habermann.
    • Sorabji: Piano Music.
    • Musical Heritage Society.

  • Marie KrĆ¼ttli

    Song

    Performer: Marie KrĆ¼ttli.
    • Transparence.
    • Intakt Records.

  • Duke Ellington

    Meditation, Pt. 2

    Performer: Duke Ellington.
    • The Piano Player.
    • Storyville.

  • Edwin York Bowen

    RĆŖverie in B Major, Op. 86. Andante espressivo e rubato

    Performer: Nuron Mukumi.
    • Portraits of Bowen: 24 Preludes in All Major and Minor Keys, Op. 102.
    • Prospero.

  • Andrea Tarrodi

    12 Pieces for Piano: No. 3, March. Lento

    Performer: Ann-Sofi Klingberg.
    • Skog & Tarrodi: Piano Pieces.
    • DB Productions (5).

  • Olivier Messiaen

    I. Regard du Pere

    Performer: Kristoffer Hyldig.
    • Olivier Messiaen: Vingt Regards sur lā€™enfant-JĆ©sus.
    • OUR Recordings.

  • Peteris Vasks

    Balta Ainava (White Scenery)

    Performer: Mina Gajić.
    • Sonic Alchemy.
    • Sono Luminus.

  • Christina Vantzou

    Joanna

    Composer: Michael Harrison. Performer: Christina Vantzou. Performer: Michael Harrison. Performer: John Also Bennett.
    • Christina Vantzou, Michael Harrison & John Also Bennett.
    • SĆ©ance Centre.

  • R. Nathaniel Dett & William Chapman Nyaho

    In the Bottoms - Suite: I. Prelude

    • Senku - Piano Music by Composers of African Descent, Vol. 1.
    • MSR Classics.

  • Peter Garland & Aki Takahashi

    The Birthday Party: IV. Afterwards. Autumn Evening (aki no kure)

    • Peter Garland: The Birthday Party.
    • New World Records.

  • An Gwang Hyeon

    LevƩ, Beckett

    Performer: An Gwang Hyeon.
    • Selected Works (2022-2025).

  • Javad Maroufi

    Golden Dreams

    Performer: Amir Farid.
    • Amir Farid plays Javad Maroufi.
    • Move.

  • Padre JosĆ© Antonio Donostia

    Izketan - DiƔlogo

    Performer: Josu OkiƱena.
    • Aita Donostia. Piano Music.
    • Sony Classical Records.

  • Cerys Hafana

    A Feeling for Snow

    Performer: Cerys Hafana.
    • Crwydro.

  • Jean-Michel Serres

    MĆ©ditation, Op. 33

    Composer: Mel Bonis. Performer: Jean-Michel Serres.
    • Mel Mobis: Morceaux de piano - Tome 3.
    • Apfel CafĆ© Music.

  • Delphine Dora

    Crowds vs. Empty Spaces

    Performer: Delphine Dora.
    • A Stream Of Consciousness.
    • Siren Wire Editions.

  • Thibault Ravina

    Horizon

    Performer: Thibault Ravina.
    • Songes.

  • Karaā€Lis Coverdale

    Soft Fold 3/4

    Performer: Karaā€Lis Coverdale.
    • A Series of Actions in a Sphere of Forever.
    • Smalltown Supersound.

  • Alexander Scriabin

    Deux Poemes, Op. 32, No. 1 in F sharp major: Andante cantabile

    Performer: Alexander Gadjiev.
    • Deux Poemes, Op. 32, No. 1 in F sharp major: Andante cantabile.

  • Aaron Breeze

    Arabesque

    Performer: Aaron Breeze.
    • Pause.

  • Hidden Rivers

    Endless Summer Rain

    Performer: Huw Roberts.
    • Always Somewhere Else.

  • Grace Ferguson

    Petomani

    Performer: Grace Ferguson.
    • Voler.
    • MUSIC COMPANY.

  • Sweet Violet Boys

    My Head Went Round and Round

    Performer: Sweet Violet Boys.
    • My Head Went Round and Round.

  • Shin Suzuma

    Dawn Clearing

    Performer: Shin Suzuma.
    • Dawn Clearing.

  • Vanessa Amara

    09-03-2016

    Performer: Vanessa Amara.
    • Like All Mornings.
    • Posh Isolation.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 14 Dec 202512:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind
  • Mon 22 Dec 202512:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind
  • Saturday12:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind