Edith Bowman and AFRODEUTSCHE among hosts for BBC Radio 3 Unwind

BBC Radio 3 Unwind launches on BBC Sounds this morning, Monday 4th November at 6am with presenters including Edith Bowman and AFRODEUTSCHE.

The new station will play a broad and eclectic range of calming classical music, promoting focus and relaxation, with contributions from guest experts and academics in fields such as psychology, neuroscience, and mental health.

Edith Bowman, Dr Sian Williams, Niall Breslin and AFRODEUTSCHE will join familiar Radio 3 and BBC Sounds names such as Ólafur Arnalds, Sara Mohr-Pietsch, Hannah Peel and Izzy Judd.

The schedule will champion music by living composers, with a particular focus on those from the UK. It also reflects emerging artist-composers, as well as playing BBC Introducing artists, plus the music of under-represented composers.

Live and specially recorded music from the BBC Orchestras and Choirs and Radio 3’s New Generation Artists will also be included.

Broadcaster, psychologist and host of BBC Radio 4’s Life Changing podcast Dr Sian Williams will present the daily mid-morning programme, Classical Unwind, Edith Bowman will host Cinematic Soundtracks late afternoons Monday to Saturday and Irish musician, composer, podcaster and mental health advocate Niall Breslin will present Classical Wind Down from 6-9pm.

On Sundays, AFRODEUTSCHE will play contemporary classical composers and artists on her new show, Soundwaves and the overnight show, Sleep Tracks will include classical music mixed with the sounds of nature and the outdoors.

Alongside these new shows, BBC Radio 3 Unwind includes programmes such as Ultimate Calm with Ólafur Arnalds and The Music & Meditation Podcast with NAO and Izzy Judd, as well as simulcasting Radio 3’s Night Tracks with Sara Mohr-Pietsch and Hannah Peel.

The schedule also includes some of BBC Sounds’ relaxing music mixes, such as the Mindful Mix, Piano Focus and The Sleeping Forecast.

Audio branding and idents for the stream have been created by the Peabody Award-winning, multi-platinum selling English songwriter, producer and composer Benbrick, recorded by the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Sam Jackson, Controller of BBC Radio 3 and BBC Proms says: “We’re thrilled to launch BBC Radio 3 Unwind: our new stream offering listeners an exciting gateway into classical music. With carefully curated shows and distinctive programming, Radio 3 Unwind will create a space for respite and escape, presented by our line-up of world-class broadcasters.

“As our lives become ever more consumed by technology, deadlines and stress, the music on BBC Radio 3 Unwind offers the perfect antidote, whilst also supporting new and emerging talent – and showcasing music that simply isn’t heard anywhere else.”

BBC Radio 3 Unwind Schedule

00:30 – 06:00 – Sleep Tracks – Monday to Sunday

06:00 – 9:00 – Mindful Mix – Monday to Sunday

09:00 – 12:00 – Classical Unwind – Monday to Sunday

12:00 – 14:00 – Piano Focus – Monday to Sunday

14: 00 – 17:00 – Mindful Mix – Monday to Sunday

17:00 – 18:00 – Cinematic Soundtracks – Monday to Saturday

17:00 – 17:30 – The Music & Meditation Podcast – Sunday

17:30 – 18:00 – Classical Mixtape – Sunday

18:00 – 21: 00 – Classical Wind Down – Monday to Sunday

21:00 – 22:00 – Ultimate Calm – Monday to Saturday

21:00 – 22:00 – Soundwaves – Sunday

22:00 – 23:30 – Night Tracks – Monday to Sunday

23:30 – 00:30 – The Sleeping Forecast – Monday to Sunday