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.
The Five O’Clock Favorite is generously sponsored by Alchemy Jeweler.
Suggested by Christa's choice!
Suggested by Teri in Parkdale, Oregon
"You asked for a musical piece that reflects peace in our lives. Well, when I heard this on your station a few months ago, I absolutely stopped what I was doing and sat down. I have a feeling others will feel that same sense of true peacefulness."
Suggested by Charlotte in Portland, Oregon
"I have been listening to All Classical since I was a young child, I first heard this recording as a teenage cinephile watching the 1981 French film "Diva". Now in my 30's, it's still one of my favorite opera arias; it still gives me chills as if I am hearing it for the first time. It is just sublime."
Suggested by Bob in Vancouver, Washington
"As I've aged I've come to enjoy the harmonic richness of soft, slow music. It creates a sense of calm and special joy that I can't describe. When I first heard the 8th symphony I was working away and not paying close attention... until part way through this 3rd movement, when I suddenly became aware of the beauty and peace filling my ears. I stopped and paid close attention to the rest of the movement, welling up with warm emotions. At the end I was in full focus, my eyes filling with hot tears which freely flowed down my cheeks and dripped down on my shirt. Even though I've heard this many times and know what's coming, I often have a similar reaction to the glory of the ending."
Suggested by JJ in Portland, Oregon
"I never really gave opera a chance until I read Oregon author Brian Doyle's wonderful book, "Mink River." One of the characters connects with their partner over Puccini's opera Tosca. I appreciated the book and knew nothing of Tosca so I let the internet introduce me to opera. While playlists shuffled in the background I found myself snapping to attention with the sound of Luciano Pavarotti's voice, it was unique and brought me to the moment. Then the next piece was "Una Furtiva Lagrima" performed by Enrico Caruso. Caruso... was IT. I can't quite describe the effect his voice had on me. I soon hunted down every recording I could find. Caruso's voice is a source of peace, health and nourishment for me."
Suggested by Katherine Anne in Portland, Oregon
"My father loved classical music. I remember him putting records on the stereo outside the dining room, classical music playing softly during dinner. However, "The Moldau" is special. He never played it as background music, it was strictly 'sit, listen, and absorb'. The Moldau is how he taught me to listen to the story being told in music. We would sit and listen to every note, as the Moldau rose in silvery tones in the mountains, grew and flowed past castles and folk dancers, and finally broadened into its delta. My father is gone now, but The Moldau tells its lovely story everytime I hear it, and it brings back warm memories of holidays and hot cocoa after dinner, and the special treat of listening to music with my father."
Suggested by Katie in Canby, Oregon
"Once while I was listening to some music on Youtube, the music from the film "The Theory of Everything" popped up as a suggestion. All of the music is so beautiful that I have listened to it over and over again. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!"
Suggested by Patty in Lincoln City, Oregon
"Local artists Maria Garcia and Momoko Muramatsu play delightful four hand piano as 20 Digitus Duo. They are a Portland treasure and have arranged and performed this lovely piece (along with many others)."
Suggested by Lisa in Beaverton, Oregon
"I love all of Mahler's music, but I believe this movement is the single most beautiful piece of music ever written. It never ceases to transport and move me to tears."
Suggested by Marcia in Salem, Oregon
"This seems to be the music that was playing when the Titanic went down. It's been a while since I heard it, but I remember it being very serene. We could really use that these days!"
Suggested by Marcia in Portland, Oregon
"One morning during these hard and isolated times I was doing housework with the radio on and heard the music of Eriks Esenvalds for the first time. I stopped what I was doing and stood there mesmerized. I find now that when I am stressed I want to hear “In Paradisum“. The beautiful interplay of the cello and viola with the chorus never fails to bring me peace."
Suggested by Holly in Salem, Oregon
"Many years ago I sang alto in The Hallelujah Chorus and have always loved it's wonderful spirit, energy, and affirmation. I am filled with hope for 2021 and want the world to hear and feel the thrill of this magnificent piece."
Suggested by Ann in Portland, Oregon
"John DeRuntz’s music sends me into another world - peaceful, calm and beautiful."
Suggested by Andy in Oregon City, Oregon
"Almost 30 years ago, my high school marching band (from Marietta, Ohio) performed an arrangement of John Rutter's Gloria. The band made it to the Bands of America Grand National finals competition, placing 9th in the nation! Ever since, it has been one of my favorite choral/brass works, and I feel it is great for the holiday season."
Suggested by David in Portland, Oregon
"You honored this suggestion a few years ago during a relatively dry Oregon winter. Guess what? Soon after you played the piece, we had a snowfall in the valley. Behold, the magic of music!"
Suggested by William in Portland, Oregon
"I find this very soothing in a Dickensian wintry way. "
Suggested by Lauren in Portland, Oregon
"This piece is so tender and subtly dramatic. It's lovely, short, and crisp and easily takes you away to somewhere else."
Suggested by Tom in Auburn, AL (visiting Stafford, OR)
"A classical-music program I enjoyed years ago used this for the theme song, and I've loved it ever since."
Suggested by Emma in Portland, Oregon
"I'm eleven years old. I listen to All Classical every day. When the pandemic hit, I got really stressed out. I miss going to school and other events. I was looking forward to going to the 2021 season of the Oregon Symphony which was going to present the New World. When I hear the Largo movement it transports me into a new world. It's my favorite part of the symphony."
Suggested by Nancy in Portland, Oregon
"Fifty years ago, a friend of mine played this at a recital in Germany and I fell in love with the piece. I've never played it myself, but wish I had! It brings back wonderful memories of an important time in my life."
"One of the biggest classical stars in the UK, Alexis Ffrench writes music that is almost universally appealing. He's written for films and fashion houses, and when I hear his music I feel a wash of calm come over me.'