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Embrace calm with soothing 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 Schubert, Duke Ellington and William Orbit. Plus, a chance to Press Pause with Izzy Judd, and some essential Wind Down Wisdom from science podcaster Caroline Steel on how being outside can aid relaxation.

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

3 hours

Music Played

  • Samuel Coleridge-Taylor

    Deep River I

    Performer: Ashley Jackson.
    • Deep River.
    • Decca Records US.
    • 1.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Keyboard concerto No 5 in F minor, BWV 1056 (2nd mvt)

    Performer: Beatrice Rana. Orchestra: Amsterdam Sinfonietta.
    • Bach: Keyboard Concerto No. 2, BWV 1053: III. Allegro.
    • Warner Classics.
    • 2.
  • John Ireland

    The Holy Boy (Prelude No 3 arr. for string quartet)

    Ensemble: Maggini Quartet.
    • Ireland - String Quartets.
    • Naxos.
    • 5.
  • Jade Ashtangini

    Song of Morning Light

    Performer: Jade Ashtangini.
    • Jade Ashtangini.
  • Garry DW Judd

    British Summer Time

    Conductor: Garry DW Judd.
    • Field Sketches for Orchestra.
    • Compendium Recordings.
    • Ge0eral.
  • Robert Schumann

    Marchenbilder, Op 113 (No 4)

    Performer: Rachel Roberts. Performer: Lars Vogt.
    • Brahms: Viola Sonatas Op. 120: Rachel Roberts/Lars Vogt.
    • Avi Music.
    • 7.
  • Connor Koppin

    I Found Night

    Conductor: Christopher Gabbitas. Choir: Phoenix Chorale.
    • Sun, Moon, Stars, Rain.
    • Signum Records.
    • 1.
  • Francois Mathian

    Souviens-toi

    Performer: Francois Mathian.
    • Francois Mathian / Enjou.
  • Franz Schubert

    Symphony No 5 in B flat major, D 485 (2nd mvt)

    Orchestra: ѿý Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Juanjo Mena.
  • Duncan Chisholm

    When the Snow Melts

    Performer: Duncan Chisholm. Performer: Hamish Napier. Ensemble: The Clockwork Sessions.
    • Black Cuillin.
    • Copperfish Records.
  • John Rutter

    O Waly, Waly (No 3 from Suite for strings)

    Orchestra: Royal Ballet Sinfonia. Conductor: David Lloyd-Jones.
    • English String Miniatures, Vol. 1.
    • Naxos.
    • 3.
  • Evgeny Grinko

    Glare of Us

    Performer: Evgeny Grinko.
    • Winter Moonlight.
    • Nettwerk Music Group.
    • 1.
  • Trevor Roberts

    Pastorale for orchestra

    Orchestra: Royal Ballet Sinfonia. Conductor: Andrew Penny.
    • Welsh Classical Favourites: Royal Ballet Sinfonia/Penny.
    • Marco Polo.
  • Johannes Brahms

    Wiegenlied (Lullaby), Op 49 No 4

    Performer: Herbert Schuch. Music Arranger: Herbert Schuch.
    • Brahms - The Piano Concertos.
    • Naive.
    • 5.
  • Ottorino Respighi

    La Colombe (The Dove) from The Birds

    Orchestra: ѿý Scottish Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Andrew Manze.
  • François Couperin

    Le Dodo ou l'amour au berceau

    Performer: Marina Baranova.
    • Salon de Ravel.
    • Berlin Classics.
  • Yiruma

    Sunset Bird (Piano Septet Version)

    Performer: Yiruma.
    • The Rewritten Memories.
    • Universal Music Ltd..
    • 2.
  • Louise Farrenc

    Cello sonata (2nd mvt) arr. for violin & strings

    Performer: Esther Abrami. Ensemble: Her Ensemble.
    • Spotlight.
    • Sony Classical/Sony Music.
    • 3.
  • Caroline Dale

    Merlin's Hat

    Performer: Caroline Dale.
    • Such Sweet Thunder.
    • Dharma Records.
    • 8.
  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    Symphony No 6 in F major, 'Pastoral' (2nd mvt - scene by the brook)

    Performer: Leonidas Kavakos. Performer: Yo‐Yo Ma. Performer: Emanuel Ax.
    • SONY.
  • Snorri Hallgrímsson

    Despair, Light

    Performer: Snorri Hallgrímsson.
    • Despair, Light.
    • Deutsche Grammophon (DG).
    • 1.
  • Duke Ellington

    In a Sentimental Mood

    Music Arranger: Oliver Boekhoorn. Ensemble: Calefax Reed Quintet.
    • An American Rhapsody.
    • PENTATONE.
    • 107.
  • Sam Rapley

    Ease

    Orchestra: ѿý Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Ben Palmer.
  • Haythem Mahbouli

    Transition

    Orchestra: The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Haythem Mahbouli.
    • Catching Moments in Time.
    • Schole Records.
    • 4.
  • José Ferrer

    Pensees du soir - nocturne for guitar, Op 44

    Performer: Gerard Cousins.
    • Charme de la Nuit.
    • Prima Classic.
    • 1.
  • Trad.

    Regin Smidur (arr. Danish String Quartet)

    Ensemble: Danish String Quartet.
    • Keel Road.
    • ECM New Series.
    • 8.
  • George Butterworth

    The Banks of Green Willow

    Orchestra: ѿý Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sakari Oramo.
  • Alanna Crouch

    Cave

    Performer: Alanna Crouch.
    • Project Hope.
    • Alanna Crouch / Enjou.
    • 3.
  • Dobrinka Tabakova

    Cello Concerto (Longing)

    Performer: Guy Johnston. Conductor: Delyana Lazarova. Orchestra: Hallé.
    • Tabakova: Concerto for Cello and Strings: Longing.
    • Halle Concerts Society.
    • 1.
  • Clara Schumann

    Nocturne from Soirees Musicales

    Performer: Alexandra Dariescu.
  • Maycon Ananias

    The Nightwalker

    Performer: Ananias.
    • Ananias - Mystic Orchestra.
    • Neogarde.
    • 1.
  • Henryk Mikołaj Górecki

    Piece in the Old Style III

    Music Arranger: William Orbit. Performer: William Orbit.
    • Pieces In A Modern Style.
    • WM UK.
    • 10.
  • Lloyd Coleman

    Luminescence

    Orchestra: ѿý Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Lloyd Coleman.
  • Emma Jackson

    Revive

    Performer: Emma Jackson.
    • Emma Jackson / Enjou.
  • Segun Akinola

    Mordros

    Orchestra: ѿý Concert Orchestra. Conductor: Gabriella Teychenné.
  • Donna McKevitt

    Go To The Limits Of Your Longing

    Performer: Donna McKevitt.
    • The Swimming Diaries.
    • Instant Karma Classics.
    • 7.
  • Maurice Ravel

    Menuet sur le nom d'Haydn, M 58

    Performer: Seong-Jin Cho.
    • Ravel: The Complete Solo Piano Works.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
    • 16.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 20 Mar 2025 18:00
  • Thu 22 May 2025 18:00