Centre the mind with transcendent piano sounds
From Richard Reed Parry’s tender minimalism to the sweeping romance of Jonny Greenwood, this blend of contemporary and classical piano invites calm, clarity, and quiet.
A meditative journey across the piano’s diverse canon—where classical forms meet cinematic minimalism and ambient textures. Ruth Gipps’ luminous Opalescence opens the set, followed by quiet gems from Ferruccio Busoni and Maria Thompson Corley. Contemporary composers like Kelly Moran and Alice Boman bring a touch of modernity, while Nils Frahm and John Cage gently shape a contemplative soundscape.
Produced by Áine Devaney
A Reduced Listening Production for ѿý Radio 3 Unwind. MM.
To listen on most smart speakers, just say, “ask ѿý Sounds to play Piano Focus”
On radio
Music Played
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Ruth Gipps
Opalescence, Op. 72
Composer: Duncan Honeybourne. Composer: Duncan Honeybourne. Performer: Duncan Honeybourne. Performer: Duncan Honeybourne.- Ruth Gipps: OPALESCENCE Piano and Chamber Music (1921–1999).
- Prima Facie.
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Cécile Chaminade
Suite de piano: III. Pas des écharpes
Performer: Sir Stephen Hough.- Stephen Hough's Dream Album: Piano Bonbons.
- Hyperion.
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Jonny Greenwood
For the Hungry Boy
Performer: Jonny Greenwood.- Phantom Thread (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
- Nonesuch.
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Mary Sutton
Hearth
- Ghosts: Music For Piano Vol. 2.
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Richard Reed Parry
Fast Cloud: A Love Song
Performer: William Howard.- Sixteen Contemporary Love Songs for Piano.
- Orchid Classics.
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Constance Warren
Idyll in G-Flat Major
Performer: Duncan Honeybourne.- A Hundred Years of British Piano Miniatures.
- Grand Piano.
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Aaron Tagliaboschi
Nighttime in the Office
Performer: Aaron Tagliaboschi.- Spare.
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ML Buch
getting to know each other
- getting to know each other.
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Ferruccio Busoni
7 Elegien, BV 249: 7. Berceuse
Performer: Gianluca Cascioli.- 900 Italia.
- Deutsche Grammophon.
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Mashu Hayasaka
May 20 I
Performer: Mashu Hayasaka.- All Night Flight.
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Hayato Sumino
Nocturne I - Pre Rain
Performer: Hayato Sumino.- Human Universe.
- Sony Classical.
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Christopher Grosse
One with the Universe
Performer: Sun Eye. Performer: Fauxe.- Piano Solo Improvisations 2021 - 2023 Piano Solo Improvisations 2021 - 2023.
- Clementi Sound.
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Richard Strauss
Ramble on the Last Love-Duet from Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier - Live
Composer: Percy Grainger. Performer: Yekwon Sunwoo.- Cliburn Gold 2017 - 15th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition (Live).
- Decca Gold.
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Howard Skempton
Images: Prelude 5
Performer: Marielle Labèque.- Minimalist Dream House.
- KML Recordings.
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Lauri Väinmaa
Sisask: Starry Sky Cycle Op.52 : 25. Ursa Minor [Peace]
Performer: Urmas Sisask.- Sisask:Starry Sky Cycle.
- Finlandia Records.
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Oliver Brouwer
Improvisation II
Performer: Oliver Brouwer.- LP 1.
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Isaac Albéniz
Albéniz: Recuerdos de viaje, Op. 71: No. 6, Rumores de la Caleta
Performer: Alicia de Larrocha.- Albéniz: Iberia, Suite española No. 1, Recuerdos de viaje & Cantos de España.
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Maria Thompson Corley
Fullness of Joy - Arr. for Piano
Performer: Maria Thompson Corley.- Fullness of Joy - Arr. for Piano.
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Jenny McLeod
Tone Clock Piece IV
Performer: Michael Houstoun. Performer: Diedre Irons.- 24 Tone Clocks.
- Rattle.
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Frédéric Chopin, Alexander Gadjiev, Consano Quartet & Jan Zahourek
Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21: II. Larghetto [arr. for String Quintet]
- Larghetto from Piano Concerto no 2 - Gadjiev Hatchlands encore.
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Simon Lowy
No need to Cry
Performer: Simon Lowy.- No need to Cry.
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Joe Hume
Dolce Piano
Performer: Joe Hume.- Dolce Piano.
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Ernest John Moeran
Irish Lament
Performer: Gerald Peregrine. Performer: Antony Ingham.- Folk Tales.
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Harold Budd
Sweet Earth Flying
Performer: Clive Wright.- Little Windows.
- Darla.
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Nils Frahm
Four Hands
Performer: Nils Frahm.- Solo.
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Clearance
Celia Hollander
Performer: Clearance.- 2nd Draft.
- Leaving Records.
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John Cage
In a Landscape
Performer: Raffaele Grimaldi.- In a Landscape / Dream / Haiku.
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Alice Boman
17
Performer: Alice Boman.- piano1.
- Section1.
Broadcasts
- Thu 8 May 2025 12:00ѿý Radio 3 Unwind
- Saturday 12:00ѿý Radio 3 Unwind