The Five O’Clock Favorite is driven by listener suggestions! We’d love your participation.
Suggestions are easiest to honor if they’re 20 minutes or less.
Suggested by David in Portland, Oregon
Suggested by David in Portland, Oregon
Schubert composed about 600 songs, many of which are exquisitely beautiful. I have become obsessed with them! (And the piano accompaniments, by the way, do more than just support the singer; they are beautiful, fascinating.) Please play a version by Thomas Quasthoff; I really admire him.
Suggested by Tressa in Portland, Oregon
This song, and group (Penguin Cafe Orchestra), inspire me to keep moving and trying, despite the obstacles. I feel the flow coming from the instruments and it uplifts me. This is especially what I listen to during the Spring months, as new growth and life are bursting forth. Thank you!
Suggested by Dewey in Camas, Washington
This song comes from a game that really helped distract me from the arguments my parents were having before they split up. It's a song that's played at the end of the game, when Chell (the main character) is finally able to leave. It tells about how she's free, despite all the pain and struggle she went through, and she can finally run away from the cause of all her problems to live a normal life.
Suggested by Sigrid in Portland, Oregon
But I have always loved Tales of Hoffman, particularly the hauntingly beautiful duet, the Barcarolle. Every time I hear it the poignancy overwhelms me, from the tender, tremulous beginning into the swelling that leads, ultimately, to the ending nostalgia.
Suggested by Randy in Portland, Oregon
I heard the Fidler on the Roof song "If I Were a Rich Man" on a recent 5:00 Favorite - it brought back memories of a family celebration in Medford at Rogue Valley Manor to celebrate my mother's 95th birthday. I commented to my cousins that "We were once the grandchildren, now we are the grandparents!" Thinking about that caused me to recall this song -also from Fidler on the Roof- and the line referencing the children: "I don't remember growing older - when did they?"
Suggested by Sara in Washington DC
When I was a little girl I had a jewelry box. When I opened the lid of that jewelry box, a little ballerina popped up and spun around to this tune played by a music box. This melody always takes me back to my childhood.
Suggested by Gregory in Portland, Oregon
I lost my beloved cat Brody the beginning of the summer; he passed away June 8th. I miss him so.
Suggested by Jeff in Issaquah, Washington
When I was 11 years old, in 1964. my mother (now 96) took us to the Fisher Theater in Detroit to see The Fiddler on the Roof. Mr. Zero Mostel was in the cast as Tevye. It is a wonderful memory.
Suggested by Anonymous in Portland, Oregon
The Portland State Chamber Choir is currently in Lisbon, Portugal at the World Choral Expo, and more people around the world are learning what an outstanding ensemble this is. As they return and start a new school year, I wanted to let them know how much they are loved right here at home as well.
Suggested by Lance in Portland, Oregon
In 1970 my Mom got a brand new Chevrolet Impala. The car came with an 8 track tape player, and included with the car was a demonstration tape that had an eclectic array music. One selection was Aaron Copland's Hoedown from the ballet Rodeo. I can recall listening to that tape and getting the shivers each time that piece was playing. I absolutely love it! Later in my life I came to even enjoy it more because it's not only Classical Music, it's American Classical Music.
Suggested by Marie in Portland, Oregon
On a recent 5:00 Favorite you played Bach's famous Prelude from his Cello Suite No.1, and I suddenly remembered cellist Sophie Webber's amazing "take" on that iconic piece of music. The addition of the choir is marvelous!
Suggested by Abbie in Banff, Alberta, Canada
I just returned from the first concert of this year's Banff International String Quartet Competition and am filled with joy from today's concerts as well as memories from past years' concerts. I'm remembering fondly The Miró Quartet's performance of Smetana's String Quartet #1 that they played several years ago at the finals; it still makes me smile every time I think of it. I know Miró hasn't recorded Smetana's quartet, but I'd love to hear some of it nonetheless.
Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon
I remember just moving out here from Cincinnati and my boss turned me on to this soundtrack. The movie flopped at the box office. It should have won an Oscar just for the scenery and music.
Suggested by Minori in Portland, Oregon
I'm a 10 year-old girl and I LOVE the video game Kirby. I also like Kirby music. When I do my Japanese homework I often listen to the Kirby 25th Anniversary Orchestra Concert, especially this song. This song is special to me because Kirby was the very first video game I beat by myself. I played Kirby when I had to stay home alone when my dad was at work and my ma was still in Japan. This song makes me feel epic.
Suggested by Michael in Portland, Oregon
I discovered the 2Cellos version of this piece on YouTube. I heard this and I immediately became an ardent fan and supporter. It is like the comment I read from one YouTube reviewer: "If only music can replace wars and melt the hearts of those who instigate them... if only." I have been moved beyond space and time and will be forever grateful to the world of music for inspirations such as this music.
Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon
I'd like to hear this music, which was featured in the funeral scene from the film Immortal Beloved. It is so beautiful in that church. The choreography is amazing.
Suggested by Donovan in Milwaukie, Oregon
The first time I heard this I was almost reduced to tears. It was at the same time beautiful and deeply sad. It has been such a favorite of mine that I have even nominated it for All Classical’s annual Classical Countdown.
Suggested by Kent in Beavercreek, Oregon
Years ago, I worked at St. Mary's College (now University) as a chaplain for students. The work was intense and I often felt stress on the job. Brother Patrick, one of the Christian Brothers who taught on campus, introduced me to Satie's Gymnopedies one afternoon. The simple melodies and rhythms appealed to me right away and I subsequently often sought refuge in them at the end of a long day.
Suggested by Barbara in Shannon, Georgia
The first movement of Howard Hanson's "Romantic" Symphony starts out a little boisterously, but then evolves into a beautiful melody . . . and that melody is the theme for Interlochen. Anyone who has attended the summer arts camp (or the now year-round arts school) should instantly recognize it. It is very soothing to me and brings back so many memories: singing two oratorios every summer, Gilbert and Sullivan operettas (I was in HMS Pinafore, the Mikado, and Pirates of Penzance the three years I was in high school girls camp) and much much more.
A friend recently gave me a book of piano solos he could no longer use. It happened to be the same book my mother had many years ago, and it brought back a very vivid memory. In the book was Tchaikovsky's "None But the Lonely Heart," which I had learned to play when I was younger. At the time, my mother was taking a music class at the local junior college, and sometimes I would go with her. The instructor heard I had learned this piece and asked me to play it for the class. OMG! Perform in front of 30 people! I had never done that before, I had been playing the piano only about three or four years then, but I agreed. When the time came for me to play, I was sitting with the class with the music. But when I got up, I didn't take the music with me. I played from memory, and for awhile, everything went fine. But when I got to page three, I forgot the notes. I remembered the rhythm, though, and kind of faked it. Two measures later I remembered the music again, and it was smooth sailing from there. Afterwards, I mentioned this to the instructor. He told me, "You did fine. If you didn't know the piece, you never would have noticed the error. To be able to do that," he added, "is the mark of a good pianist."