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Awaken the day with mesmerising music

Calming classical music to inspire focus and set you up for the day ahead. Presented by broadcaster, author and counselling psychologist Dr Sian Williams.

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 comforting and peaceful melodies from a whole host of composers, including Grieg, Pejacevic and John Ireland. There's a chance to hone in on your daily tasks as we try to Find our Focus with music by Norwegian composer Otto Andreas Totland. Elsewhere, Sian watches some paddleboraders on the water while out to Take a Breath, and Professor Catherine Loveday delves into the science of whether music can help ease our fight or flight response.

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3 hours

On radio

Next Sunday09:00
BBC Radio 3 Unwind

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Music Played

  • Frank Bridge

    Two Entr'actes (No 1, 'Rosemary')

    Conductor: Richard Hickox. Orchestra: BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
    • Chandos.

  • Francis Poulenc

    Les chemins de l'amour, FP 106 (arr for piano)

    Performer: Alexandre Tharaud.
    • Erato.

  • Josef Suk

    Love Song, Op 7 No 1

    Performer: Wolfgang Emanuel Schmidt. Orchestra: Metamorphosen Berlin.
    • Sony.

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    Suite from 'Le nozze di Figaro', K 492, arr for string quartet (No 7)

    Performer: Jan Vogler. Performer: Colin Jacobsen. Performer: Mira Wang. Performer: Tatjana Masurenko.
    • Sony.

  • EĢ„riks EsĢŒenvalds

    Lux Aeterna

    Choir: Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Houston. Conductor: Robert Simpson.
    • Acis.

  • Dora Pejačević

    Piano Trio, Op 29 (3rd mvt)

    Ensemble: Trio RoVerde.
    • Brilliant Classics.

  • Otto A. Totland

    Vates

    Performer: Otto A. Totland.
    • Sonic Pieces.

  • John Gough

    Serenade for Small Orchestra

    Conductor: Vernon Handley. Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • Chandos.

  • Heinrich Hofmann

    Octet in F major, Op 80 (2nd mvt)

    Ensemble: Berolina Ensemble.
    • MDG.

  • Ben Parry

    Sonnett XXVII

    Choir: Choir of Royal Holloway. Conductor: Rupert Gough.
    • SIGNUM.

  • Anthony Collins

    The Saga of Odette (Valse Lente)

    Conductor: John Wilson. Orchestra: BBC Concert Orchestra.
    • Dutton.

  • Andrea Luchesi

    Concerto per tastiera e strumenti obbligati in F Major (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Roberto Plano. Conductor: Massimo Belli. Orchestra: Orchestra Ferruccio Busoni.
    • Concerto.

  • Fritz Kreisler

    Liebeslied

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

  • AntonĆ­n DvoÅ™Ć”k

    Legends, Op 59 (No 6)

    Conductor: TomĆ”Å” Netopil. Orchestra: Czech Philharmonic.
    • Pentatone.

  • Wanda Landowska

    Valse in E minor

    Performer: David Kadouch.
    • Mirare.

  • Eunike Tanzil

    Farewell

    Performer: Eunike Tanzil. Conductor: Anna Handler. Orchestra: German Symphony Orchestra Berlin.
    • DG.

  • Christopher Gunning

    The Rosemary and Thyme Caprice

    Performer: Craig Ogden. Conductor: Rumon Gamba. Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • Chandos.

  • Christopher Tin

    The Saddest Noise

    Choir: VOCES8. Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Barnaby Smith.
    • Decca.

  • Dilermando Reis

    Se Ela Pergunta (If she should ask)

    Performer: Xuefei Yang.
    • Platoon.

  • Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

    Idyll, Op 44

    Conductor: Charles Peebles. Orchestra: Ulster Orchestra.
    • Somm.

  • Trad.

    Skye Boat Song

    Choir: The Kingā€™s Singers.
    • Warner.

  • John Ireland

    Concertino Pastorale (2nd mvt)

    Orchestra: City of London Sinfonia. Conductor: Richard Hickox.
    • Chandos.

  • Lara Somogyi

    yucca

    Performer: Lara Somogyi. Performer: Jeanā€Michel Blais.
    • Mercury.

  • Franz Schreker

    Romantic Suite, Op 14 (3rd mvt, 'Intermezzo')

    Conductor: JoAnn Falletta. Orchestra: Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin.
    • Naxos.

  • MiklĆ³s RĆ³zsa

    The Thief of Bagdad Suite (3rd mvt, 'The Love of the Princess')

    Conductor: Rumon Gamba. Orchestra: BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.
    • Chandos.

  • Julie Cooper

    Light

    Performer: Clio Gould. Performer: Anthony Pike. Performer: Justin Pearson. Singer: Grace Davidson.
    • Signum.

  • Edvard Grieg

    Lyric Pieces, Op 43 (No 5, 'Erotik')

    Conductor: Petri Sakari. Orchestra: Iceland Symphony Orchestra.
    • Chandos.

  • Margaret Bonds

    Montgomery Variations (2nd mvt, 'Prayer Meeting')

    Conductor: Yannick NĆ©zetā€SĆ©guin. Orchestra: The Philadelphia Orchestra.
    • DG.

  • Alexis Ffrench

    Did I Ever Tell You

    Performer: Alexis Ffrench.
    • Sony.

  • Chiquinha Gonzaga

    Lua Branca

    Performer: Esther Abrami. Performer: Kim Barbier.
    • Sony.

  • Camille Saintā€SaĆ«ns

    Une Nuit a Lisbonne, Op 63

    Conductor: Neeme JƤrvi. Orchestra: Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
    • Chandos.

  • FrĆ©dĆ©ric Chopin

    Nocturne No 8 in D flat major, Op 27 No 2

    Performer: Jan Lisiecki.
    • DG.

  • Felix Mendelssohn

    Symphony No 4, Op 90, 'Italian' (3rd mvt)

    Conductor: Paavo JƤrvi. Orchestra: Tonhalle-Orchester ZĆ¼rich.
    • Alpha.

  • Laura Netzel

    Suite for Violin & String Orchestra, Op 83 (1st & 4th mvts)

    Performer: Malin Broman. Orchestra: Musica Vitae Chamber Orchestra.
    • db Productions.

  • Sally Beamish

    In the Stillness

    Choir: Tenebrae. Conductor: Nigel Short.
    • SIGNUM.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 26 Feb 202609:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind
  • Next Sunday09:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind