Main content
This programme will be available shortly after broadcast

Rediscover calm with this carefully-curated piano collection

Unwind with this thoughtful piano mix blending classical works by Cécile Chaminade and Ralph Vaughan Williams with modern pieces by Elena Kats-Chernin and Alexandre Desplat.

Rediscover serenity and calm with this curated selection of piano pieces that span the centuries. Featuring graceful works by classical luminaries such as Ralph Vaughan Williams, Henrique Oswald and Cécile Chaminade alongside evocative modern compositions by Alexandre Desplat, Elena Kats-Chernin and Rikuto Fujimoto.

To listen on most smart speakers just say “ask BBC Sounds to play Piano Focus”

Produced by Áine Devaney
A Reduced Listening production for BBC Radio 3 Unwind. MM.

2 hours

On radio

Sunday 12:00
BBC Radio 3 Unwind

More episodes

Previous

Enter a haven of tranquil piano music

Next

A peaceful piano mix to stimulate creativity

See all episodes from Piano Focus

Music Played

  • Henrique Oswald

    6 Morceaux, Op. 4: No. 4. Berceuse

    Performer: Braz Velloso.
    • Oswald: Piano Music.

  • Alexandre Desplat

    The Engagement

    Performer: Alexandre Desplat.
    • Birth (Original Score).

  • Eleni Karaindrou

    Eternity And A Day: 2. By The Sea

    Performer: Eleni Karaindrou.
    • Eternity And A Day.

  • Toru Takemitsu

    Piano Pieces for Children: No. 2. Clouds

    Performer: Kotaro Fukuma.
    • Takemitsu: Piano Music.

  • Eiko Ishibashi

    Drive My Car (The truth, no matter what it is, isn't that frightening)

    Performer: Eiko Ishibashi.
    • Drive My Car Original Soundtrack.

  • David Shire

    Whatever Was Arranged - Remastered 2023

    Performer: David Shire.
    • The Conversation (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack / Remastered 2023).

  • Christine Ott

    Étreintes

    Performer: Christine Ott.
    • Éclats (Piano Works).

  • Ernest John Moeran

    Irish Lament

    Performer: Gerald Peregrine. Performer: Antony Ingham.
    • Folk Tales.

  • Rachel Portman

    the summer day

    Performer: Rachel Portman.
    • ask the river.

  • Kelly Moran

    Sodalis (II)

    Performer: Kelly Moran.
    • Moves in the Field.

  • Rikuto Fujimoto

    A Bearing Tree

    Performer: Rikuto Fujimoto.
    • Distant Landscapes.

  • Takashi Yoshimatsu

    Piano Concerto, Op. 67 "Memo Flora": II. Petals. Andante

    Performer: Sachio Fujioka. Performer: Manchester Camerata. Performer: Kyoko Tabe.
    • Yoshimatsu: Piano Concerto "Memo Flora".

  • Edward Elgar

    3 Characteristic Pieces, Op. 10: No. 2. Serenade mauresque (arr. piano)

    Performer: Ashley Wass.
    • Elgar: Piano Music.

  • Paul Haslinger

    Berlin 86-11

    Performer: Paul Haslinger.
    • Exit Ghost.

  • Philip Glass

    Étude No. 2 for Piano

    Performer: Fabio Álvarez.
    • Mad Rush.

  • Ralph Vaughan Williams

    6 Studies in English Folksong (Version for Cello & Piano): No. 4, Lento

    Performer: Gerald Peregrine. Performer: Antony Ingham.
    • Folk Tales.

  • Germaine Tailleferre

    Pastorale inca

    Performer: Cristina Ariagno.
    • Tailleferre: Chamber Music.

  • Ryuichi Sakamoto

    Aqua

    Performer: Ryuichi Sakamoto.
    • Opus.

  • James Heather

    Balance

    Performer: James Heather.
    • Invisible Forces.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Prelude, Bk.1 No. 8 in E flat minor

    Performer: Alim Beisembayev.
    • Prelude, Bk.1 No. 8 in E flat minor.

  • Cécile Chaminade

    Nocturne in B Major, Op. 165

    Performer: Joanne Polk.
    • Nostalgia: Piano Music.

  • Hior Chronik

    Silent Places

    Performer: Hior Chronik.
    • Silent Places.

  • Josiah Steinbrick

    Lullaby

    Performer: Josiah Steinbrick.
    • For Anyone That Knows You.

  • Maria Herz

    12 Ländler, Op. 2: No. 3, Andantino

    Performer: Aude St-Pierre.
    • Rediscovering Maria Herz.

  • Modest Mussorgsky

    Pictures at an Exhibition: II. Il vecchio castello

    Performer: Anna Fedorova.
    • Intrigues of the Darkness.

  • Elena Kats‐Chernin

    Absynthe Cocktail

    Performer: Tamara Anna Cislowska.
    • Unsent Love Letters, Meditations On Erik Satie.

  • Jack Hopkins

    Rêverie

    Performer: Jack Hopkins.
    • Rêverie.

  • Dylan John Sparkes

    Alchemy

    Performer: Dylan John Sparkes.
    • Flower Of Life.

  • Doug Thomas

    Bach/Siloti

    Performer: Doug Thomas.
    • Bach/Siloti.

  • Harrison Birtwistle

    Oockooing Bird

    Performer: Stephen Pruslin.
    • Oockooing Bird.

  • Radiohead

    Pyramid Song

    Performer: Josh Cohen.
    • Radiohead for Solo Piano.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 16 Feb 2025 12:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind
  • Wed 12 Mar 2025 12:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind
  • Sunday 12:00
    BBC Radio 3 Unwind