The Five O’Clock Favorite is driven by listener suggestions! We’d love your participation. Due to the interest in the program, it may be a week or two before you hear your selection on-air.
Suggestions are easiest to honor if they’re 20 minutes or less.
Suggested by Andy in Hillsboro and Emma in Portland
Suggested by Anne in Portland, Oregon
"The title is full of mystery and reverie, as I'm sure you agree, and the music beautifully reflects that mood."
Suggested by John in Portland, Oregon
"This music is comforting, yet yearning for a better world."
Suggested by Jason in Clackamas, Oregon
"This piece of music is joyful and uplifting, proving how important music is in these times. Also, my partner lives in Montreal and plays historical wind instruments, Mozart is one of his favorite composers, and since we cant see each other right now we stay connected through music."
Suggested by Rob in Palo Alto, California
"My parents, both of whom were professional musicians, bought a recording of Pictures at an Exhibition, arranged by Ravel, with the Chicago Symphony under Fritz Reiner when I was in junior high. When I discovered this wonderful piece I was mesmerized, and sat listening to it for hours at a time. It was so easy to let my mind dive into that piece, imagining all that the music had to offer: the wonderful trumpet opening of Promenade, the bickering of Goldenberg and Schmuÿle, the ponderousness of Bydlo, the scariness of the Catacombs and the Hut of Baba Yaga, and finishing with the gloriousness of the Great Gate. This music still has the same feeling for me to this day."
Suggested by Darla in Portland, Oregon
"The slow rhythm is so soothing, and pretty soon you're just moving with the music."
Suggested by Robin in Portland, Oregon
As a young college student in 1975, I took an introductory class to popular music. The class never came within a whisker of rock music or any popular music from 1940 on, so needless to say those of us who anticipated an easy semester get-together, pontificating on what "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" meant were rudely awakened! Yet, like all awakenings, there were great and wonderful things to experience. With fresh ears we were immersed in our teacher's beloved Armstrong, Beiderbecke, Morton, Oliver, Joplin and more.
One day I asked where the roots of this music came from and if there was anything classical-like? I was given an armful of materials and I came across the sheet music for Afro Canadian/American composer, R. Nathaniel Dett's, piano suite, "In the Bottoms".
Not being a musician I asked my professor to play some of it, and he obliged by playing from memory the entire suite. Melodically buoyant with aching tenderness amidst a sprightly bounce, its simple harmonies elicit peace and joy. It has remained one of my favorite piano pieces ever since. I can still hear my teacher's analysis for that music and how it pointed to the past and future. How lucky I was to be guided in to that sound world. During these turbulent times, i hope other listeners feel its ease and soulfulness
Suggested by Jina in Portland, Oregon
"Some time ago, we had a lovable orange Manx cat named Mesabi. He liked classical music, especially Debussy's "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun.'' When he heard it being played he would rush to the stereo and put his right ear to one of the speakers and listen until it ended."
Suggested by Kelcey in Portland AND John in Newport
Kelcey says, "The idea of thousands of people from around the world singing together is such a powerful idea. We can be reminded that we can overcome anything by working together and keeping our spirits uplifted with our voices."
John says, "The world is a divisive and difficult place to live right now, but here is a piece of music with voices of 17,572 people from 129 countries coming together in harmony, (albiet virtually) to 'SING GENTLY AS ONE'. It is inspiring, uplifting and emotional, and it sounds to me like legions of angels singing in Heaven."
Suggested by Joan in Portland, Oregon
"No matter what my mood, Bright Blue Music always makes me happy! Just hearing the first few bars, I smile in anticipation."
Suggested by Elizabeth in Portland, Oregon
"I learned to sing this piece when I was in a children's choir. Decades later, I still think it is one of the most beautiful pieces music I have ever heard. Listening to it always calms me."
Suggested by Phil in Forest Grove, Oregon
"I find nothing dissipates stress for me better than Granados' Spanish Dances. Even though some of them are quite lively, I find that -after a hard day- turning off the lights and putting on the dances helps me shed thoughts of work and prepare to enjoy an evening with my wife and our three teenagers. This is so pretty it can bring tears to my eye."
Suggested by Vivian in Portland, Oregon
"This piece affirms that there is still beauty amidst sorrows and anxieties. It ends with a shout of hope, which we need so much in these trying days."
Suggested by Elizabeth in Portland
"This piece of music is so beautiful, yet dazzlingly difficult... it features pyrotechnic passages with so-o-o-o-o-o many notes together in one beat, and extreme feats of dexterity!"
Suggested by Anne in Portland, Oregon
"I first heard this choral masterpiece on your station. I was familiar with Gorecki's Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, but I had not heard this before. It is such a simple but deep piece. Every time I hear it, I stop and just listen to it, not missing a note. There is a longing here for a home that is no longer, (Poland), but lives in our memory with such beauty."
Suggested by Steve in Aloha, Oregon
"I remember hearing a student play this at a Master Class held by Carol Rich. She suggested to the audience to have their eyes closed and to picture a door opening as the music starts. Then imagine what's inside the room as the piece progresses. As the piece finishes, close the door. It was an experience I have never forgotten. But a warning: don't attempt this if you're driving a vehicle!"
Suggested by Mike in Salem, Oregon
"I have no personal story related to this piece other than this: it touches me and inspires me not to be great but at least to be better."
Suggested by Glory in Hood River, Oregon
"I love this piece because it takes me away to another world. And it calms my nerves and stresses. It is simply stunning!"
Suggested by John in Lake Oswego
"My wife Betty & I were married on July 19, 1958. Neither of us wanted to use the Lohengrin Wedding March as the processional. I am not sure how we came across this piece but Betty really liked it. We counted on our guest's lack of sophistication regarding classical music because most of would have thought that this wouldn't have been appropriate for a Christian wedding. It is a lively, melodious piece of music. Since our marriage lasted for over 60 years, ending only with her death, the "War March of the Priests" proved to be a good choice for us. Yesterday would have been our 62nd wedding anniversary."
Suggested by Julia in Yuma, Arizona
"Yo-Yo Ma, with the Silk Road Ensemble, have an extraordinary version of this piece by Azzaiolo, a 15th c. Bolognese composer. Chi Passa per'sta Strada apparently dates from somewhen between 1557 and 1569, but Yo-Yo Ma, one of my very favorite performers, had done something special with it!"
Andy says, "In this 10 minute piece I hear the winding down of a busy city... that time between the end of one day and the beginning of another."
Emma says, "I'm eleven years old. I listen to All Classical every day. Aaron Copland is one of my favorite composers. During the time of COVID I get so stressed out, but when I hear Quiet City it calms me down. I would love to hear it."