Main content

Reflective piano to soften the day

Moving between impressionist masterworks, jazz-inflected piano, and contemporary ambient textures, this mix drifts across eras, genres, and geographies.

From the shadowed landscapes of Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy to the spacious contemporary worlds of Kara-Lis Coverdale, Christina Vantzou, and Sarah Neutkens, this programme traces a reflective path through the piano’s evolving language. Impressionist colour, Romantic miniatures, jazz meditations, and ambient reflections unfold side by side, creating a rich yet unhurried listening experience.

Produced by Áine Devaney.
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Sounds MM.

20 days left to listen

2 hours

Last on

Thu 2 Jul 202612:00
BBC Radio 3 Unwind

More episodes

Previous

Gentle piano music for deep concentration

Next

Unwind with a soothing piano soundtrack

See all episodes from Piano Focus

Music Played

  • Maurice Ravel

    Gaspard de la nuit, M. 55: II. Le gibet

    Performer: Pascal Rogé.
    • Ravel: Piano Works.

  • Duke Ellington

    Retrospection

    Performer: Duke Ellington.
    • Piano Reflections.
    • Capitol Jazz.

  • Sophia Subbayya Vastek

    In Our Softening

    Performer: Sophia Subbayya Vastek.
    • In Our Softening.

  • Frederick Delius

    Three Piano Preludes: No. 2

    Performer: Eric Parkin.
    • The Delius Collection.

  • Mel Bonis

    Cinq pièces pour piano, Op.11: I. Gai printemps

    Performer: Laurent Martin.
    • De Montgeroult, Chaminade, De Polignac, Selva, Bonis: Compositrices d'exception.

  • Daniel Blumberg

    Library

    Performer: Daniel Blumberg.
    • The Brutalist (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
    • Milan.

  • Takagi Masakatsu

    Marginalia #223

    Performer: Takagi Masakatsu.
    • Marginalia #223.

  • Ottorino Respighi

    6 Pezzi, P. 44: No. 6. Internmezzo-serenata

    Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov.
    • Respighi: Piano Music.

  • Cyril Scott

    Two Pieces, Op. 47: 1. Lotus Land

    Performer: Adriano Spampanato.
    • Two Pieces, Op. 47: 1. Lotus Land.

  • Jonny Greenwood

    For the Hungry Boy

    Performer: Jonny Greenwood.
    • Phantom Thread (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).

  • Soli City

    1871 (Arena)

    Performer: Harald Bjørn.
    • Poetics of a New Estate.

  • Volodja Brodsky

    Fogbound Streets of Maardu

    Performer: Volodja Brodsky.
    • Raindrops.

  • Delphine Dora

    Contrée du dedans

    Performer: Delphine Dora.
    • As Above, So Below.

  • Jehan Alain

    Theme varie

    Performer: Karl Betz.
    • Piano Music of the 20th Century.

  • Thibault Ravina

    Rivages

    Performer: Thibault Ravina.
    • Songes.

  • Kara‐Lis Coverdale

    Kõne, Vastu

    Performer: Kara‐Lis Coverdale.
    • A Series of Actions in a Sphere of Forever.

  • Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou

    The Song of the Sea

    Performer: Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou.
    • Ethiopiques, vol. 21: Emahoy (Piano Solo).
    • Buda Musique.

  • Erroll Garner

    Embraceable You

    Performer: Erroll Garner.
    • Piano Solos.

  • The Vernon Spring

    Nothing Can Stop Us

    Performer: Sam Beste.
    • A Plane Over Woods.

  • Christina Vantzou

    Joanna

    Composer: Michael Harrison. Composer: John Also Bennett. Performer: Christina Vantzou. Performer: Michael Harrison. Performer: John Also Bennett.
    • Christina Vantzou, Michael Harrison and John Also Bennett.

  • Cameron McRae

    Fields and Fields

    • Fields and Fields.

  • Sarah Neutkens

    Rigel

    Performer: Sarah Neutkens.
    • What Is Sarah Neutkens Thinking?.

  • Claude Debussy

    Préludes, Book 2, CD 131: X. Canope

    Performer: Tom Borrow.
    • Préludes, Book 2, CD 131: X. Canope.

  • Chilly Gonzales

    La bulle

    Performer: Chilly Gonzales.
    • Solo Piano II.

  • Annie Hogan

    Nocturne

    Performer: Annie Hogan.
    • Honeysuckle Burials.

  • Simeon Walker

    Inside/Out

    Performer: Simeon Walker.
    • Inside/Out.

  • Jim Perkins

    Turning

    Performer: Jim Perkins.
    • Turning.

Broadcast

  • Thu 2 Jul 202612:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind

Featured in...

  • Piano Focus

    Calming music to help you focus, including mixes designed with expert neuroscientists.