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Switch off with serene classical 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 JS Bach, Beethoven, Bryce Dessner, and Max Richter. Plus a chance to Press Pause with meditation teacher Maude Hirst, who teaches us how to accept single-tasking in a multitasking world. Our resident science podcaster Caroline Steel also joins us for an essential Wind Down Wisdom on the benefits of solo games.

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

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3 hours

Music Played

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Organ Sonata no.4 BWV.528 (2nd mvt)

    Music Arranger: August Stradal. Performer: Víkingur Ólafsson.
    • JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
    • 5.
  • Fritz Kreisler

    Caprice Viennois arr. for violin & guitar

    Performer: María Dueñas. Performer: Raphaël Feuillâtre. Music Arranger: Antoine Fougeray.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • Joseph Guy Ropartz

    Prélude, marine et chansons pour flûte, violon, violoncelle et harpe: I

    Ensemble: Montreal Chamber Players.
    • ATMA Classique.
  • William Walton

    Piano Quartet: III. Andante tranquillo

    Performer: Janice Graham. Performer: Paul Silverthorne. Performer: Moray Welsh. Performer: Israela Margalit.
    • Warner Classics.
  • Max Richter

    Patterns / Solo (Pt. 2 / Faded)

    Performer: Max Richter.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).
  • John Field

    Nocturne in G Major, H. 58 (Version for Harp)

    Performer: Magdalena Hoffmann.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).
  • Gustav Mahler

    Symphony No 5 in C sharp minor

    Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Gianandrea Noseda.
  • Hania Rani

    Sentimental Value

    • Gondwana Records.
  • Gustav Holst

    A Moorside Suite

    Performer: Grimethorpe Colliery Band. Conductor: Garry Cutt.
    • Chandos.
  • Avril Coleridge-Taylor

    Who knows?

    Performer: Alexandra Mackenzie. Performer: Ingrid Sawers.
    • Beyond Twilight: Music for Cello & Piano by Female Composers.
    • Delphian Records.
    • 2.
  • Florence Price

    String Quartet no.2 in A Minor (2nd mvt)

    Ensemble: Catalyst Quartet.
    • Uncovered, Vol. 2: Florence B. Price.
    • Azica Records.
    • 10.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Lascia ch'io piangia (Rinaldo)

    Performer: Felix Klieser. Ensemble: CHAARTS.
    • Berlin Classics.
  • Trad.

    Scarborough Fair

    Music Arranger: Simon Parkin. Performer: Sheku Kanneh‐Mason. Performer: Plínio Fernandes.
    • DECCA.
  • Edward Elgar

    Serenade in E minor, Op.20 (2nd mvt)

    Composer: Matthew Knight. Ensemble: Septura.
    • Music for Brass Septet, Vol. 6.
    • Naxos.
    • 202.
  • Sergey Rachmaninov

    Preghiera (Arr. by Fritz Kreisler from Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor)

    Performer: Gidon Kremer. Performer: Daniil Trifonov.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Trio in B flat major, Op 11

    Ensemble: ATOS Trio.
  • Philip Herbert

    Elegy [In Memoriam Stephen Lawrence]

    Orchestra: Chineke! Orchestra. Conductor: Anthony Parnther.
    • Spark Catchers.
    • NMC.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Divertimento in F major K.138

    Ensemble: Leonkoro Quartet.

Broadcasts

  • Last Wednesday17:00
  • Sun 8 Mar 202617:00