Five O’Clock Favorite

Hosted by
Christa Wessel

Five O’Clock Favorite

Every weekday at 5:00 PM PT

Every weekday at 5:00 PM PT, All Classical Radio and host Christa Wessel invite listeners to be part of the programming. During the Five O’Clock Favorite, you’ll hear a listener-suggested piece of music along with a personal story about their choice. With pieces that are fun and familiar, music for remembrance and reflection, and everything in between, the Five O’Clock Favorite is a perfect way to ease your commute, end your workday, or start off your evening soundtrack on All Classical Radio. 

graphic for five o clock fav

Your Host
Christa Wessel

Weekdays at 5:00, you’ll find me in my happy place on the radio: sharing your Five O’Clock Favorite. This special program is an opportunity for me to celebrate listeners’ memories and favorite pieces of classical music. Our stories connect us to each other, and this daily segment allows us to hear what’s in the hearts of our friends and neighbors. I hope you’ll submit your suggestion for a future Five O’Clock Favorite!

Christa Wessel
woman with glasses sitting on a blue couch, leaning slightly forward — Photo by Christine Dong

Submit your favorite piece:
Suggestions are easiest to honor if they’re 20 minutes or less.

Recent Favorites

Air date: May 1, 2026

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya: The Sprout, Joe Hisaishi

Suggested by Tu in Portland, Oregon

When I think of springtime I think of life's circle, as well as "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya," my all-time favorite animated film by the late Isao Takahata. The story features moments about spring, and about renewal. This piece, "The Sprout," makes me feel a sense of hope, and a new sense of joy. Speaking of sprouts and spring, my 2x4 foot plot of garden has succeeded in nurturing life back into some old cuttings from bok choy that I bought from a grocery store and cooked with at beginning of spring.

Air date: April 30, 2026

Trio Sonata in G Major, Op. 5 No. 4, HWV 399: III. Passacaille, George Frideric Handel

Suggested by Rick in Portland, Oregon

I first heard this Handel Passacaglia at a Portland Baroque Orchestra concert years ago. It struck me as being "perfect" right from the start.

Air date: April 29, 2026

Elegy for Strings, Elliott Carter

Suggested by Cal in Vancouver, Washington

About 30 years ago, a few of my co-workers and I formed a string quartet and would gather a couple times every month and play. We were not so good, but we enjoyed our time together playing music. We would find pieces at the library and read through them. One piece that we found was the Carter Elegy for string quartet. It was an interesting and challenging piece for us, but for some reason became one of our regular pieces that would test our skill. It seemed to sound a little bit different each time we played it - which honestly wasn't a good sign. Well, over time our original group disbanded as the golden years took us apart. Recently I learned that Bill, one of our violinists, has passed away. Would love to hear this piece in his memory and to the memory of our time together making music.

Air date: April 28, 2026

The Pacific (2010): Honor, Hans Zimmer

Suggested by Steph in Canby, Oregon

This touched me so very much when I first listened to it in the miniseries. It made me tear up then, and still does each time I hear it. To me, it speaks to the bravery of those who fought in WWII and captures the sorrow, love of country, and soul of the men fighting for the U.S. They may be gone, but never forgotten, no matter what war they served in.

Air date: March 27, 2026

Mass: Simple Song, Leonard Bernstein

Suggested by Peter in Astoria, Oregon

With the news of the passing of Michael Tilson Thomas. playing his recording of "A Simple Song" from Leonard Bernstein's Mass would be a great way to remember such a great conductor and musician. I was lucky enough to meet Michael Tilson Thomas once. I was working for a catering company in San Francisco where he lived. We catered a few parties for him and his partner. Such nice, down to earth genuine people.

Air date: April 24, 2026

Rustle of Spring, Christian Sinding

Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon

It's just the time of year to hear this. I wanted to tackle this piano piece. Would you please play this in honor Mrs. Joyce VanWye, my piano teacher.

Air date: April 23, 2026

Bolero, Maurice Ravel

Suggested by Kisa in Portland, Oregon

My father Carl passed away a year ago. He loved classical music, and was a very accomplished musician. Growing up, 89.9 was always on. Whenever Bolero came on, he always loved to tell the story of the premiere (which may or may not be true) about how when the conductor tried to speed up the tempo, Ravel stopped him. The conductor told Ravel the composer's preferred slow pace would end up driving the musicians crazy, Ravel exclaimed "That is precisely what it's supposed to do!" This might be my father's favorite piece of classical music. *That* is saying something! It's definitely mine.

Air date: April 22, 2026

Piano Concerto No. 5, “Emperor”: 2. Adagio, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Ann in Bend, Oregon

This piece of music feels like an expression of the beauty, magnificence, and majesty inherent in us all. Nowadays, instead of turning on news radio, which is full of despair, turning on this piece of music brings a feeling of hope for humanity. Also I believe Beethoven is still here in some form or other, and our true nature as humans is not lost. The second movement is a favorite of my mom, listening in San Diego, and the third movement is my favorite. Either will do, and maybe someone out there will feel the life in the music too. Thank you Christa!

Air date: April 21, 2026

Toccata Arpeggiata, Giovanni Girolamo Kapsperger

Suggested by Jeanne in Portland, Oregon

When I heard this performance I was totally blown away by this piece, I became obsessed with it. I've heard other performances of the same piece and no one gets even close to what Hopkinson Smith manages to recreate in his interpretation, the Art of Arpeggiation.

Air date: April 20, 2026

Violin Concerto in D: I. Allegro moderato (1957 recording), Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Suggested by Chris in Portland, Oregon

This piece by Tchaikovsky, specifically as played by Jascha Heifetz, is very dear to me, and remains my favorite performance of classical music. As a young boy I played violin for several years in my school’s orchestra, and the artistry and power in this piece always spoke to me. I was first introduced to it because my father had it on cassette tape (!!) and would play it in the car. My father and I had a somewhat…complicated relationship over the years, and even at times when we couldn’t communicate or agree on much at all, this musical performance was a meaningful point of connection for us. I would take the tape and listen over and over in my room, practicing my violin, hoping to come even close to the beauty I was listening to.

Air date: April 17, 2026

Piano Concerto in G: 1. Allegramente, Maurice Ravel

Suggested by Roland in Fairview, Oregon

I was studying the music that the Oregon Symphony played last weekend by Ravel, and I realized that I was almost devoid of knowledge of his piano concertos! So exciting!

Air date: April 16, 2026

Eight Russian Folk Songs for Orchestra, Anatoly Lyadov

Suggested by Willie in Salem, Oregon

The world needs to embrace this wonderful, unknown gem of classic Russian music! I'm a violist in The Salem Philharmonia Orchestra that featured this work in its February 2026 concert, and it was one of the most charming pieces I've ever played. After Jenkins' famous "Benedictus" from the Armed Man, the third movement "Melancholy Song" features the cellists with a peaceful respite from daily life. The sixth "Cradle Song" can reduce anyone to slumber. And the eighth "Round Dance" will have you hopping around the room! A true work to be uncovered.

Air date: April 15, 2026

Carmina Burana: In Trutina, Carl Orff

Suggested by David in Portland, Oregon

This music changed my life for the better. I didn't know the words but the music told me how to live a good life.

Air date: April 14, 2026

Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: The Streets of Whiterun, Jeremy Soule

Suggested by Kyle in Gresham, Oregon

Just about every American child/young adult is familiar with this piece of music. Released as part of a videogame in 2011, the first time I heard this I was 12 years old... and it has been a nostalgic piece of music for me ever since. Skyrim is by no means the best game ever made, but its soundtrack holds a special place in the hearts of a lot of people of my generation.

Air date: April 13, 2026

The Four Seasons: Spring, Antonio Vivaldi

Suggested by Emma in Portland, Oregon

Patrick Stewart recorded a recitation of Vivaldi's sonnets from The Four Seasons and I think it is so wonderful.

Air date: April 10, 2026

Schwanda the Bagpiper: Overture, Jaromir Weinberger

Suggested by Kirke in Albany, Oregon

After hearing the Polka and Fugue from Schwanda the Bagpiper many times, I have wondered if the opera that ends with that polka and fugue has any other music of merit....?

Air date: April 9, 2026

Student Concerto No. 2 in G, Friedrich Seitz

Suggested by James in Portland, Oregon

This is a piece I have been working on recently. I am a violin student in high school and often listen to your station. I had begun losing motivation and this piece brought it back for me. It definitely reminds me of springtime and is an all around fun piece!

Air date: April 8, 2026

Clair de lune, Claude Debussy

Suggested by Kris in Portland, Oregon

I first heard this when I was next to the Columbia River one night while I was on a date. So that's why I like it.

Air date: April 7, 2026

String Quartet No.12 in C minor, ‘Quartettsatz’, Franz Schubert

Suggested by Ted in Portland, Oregon

Schubert is probably my favorite composer. This quartet is so melodic with great textural twists and turns. It's a compelling composition imo.

Air date: April 6, 2026

Arabesque No. 1, Claude Debussy

Suggested by Adrian in Portland, Oregon

There were a handful of piano pieces that Mom used to play when I was a kid. Debussy's First Arabesque is special among them for me. Once when I was away from home and feeling scared and lonely, I heard it and it took me right back home, sitting in the living room listening to Mom play; it gave me comfort. Now that Mom is gone, I listen for "bits" of her on the radio, Mozart sonatas, Chopin preludes and waltzes, Liszt's Liebestraum, and especially Debussy's First Arabesque. Thanks, All Classical, for being there and for doing what you do.

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