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: September 26, 2025

Norma: Casta Diva, Vincenzo Bellini

Suggested by Donna in Vancouver, Washington

I used to listen to opera on the radio all the time, never knowing what they were saying, never knowing the story, so I'd make it all up in my head. Finally in October of 2005 I went to see my first opera, Norma. I had read the story but didn't know much about history so it didn't make a lot of sense, but still, I remember the excitement and goosebumps I had throughout the entire opera, as the music was so beautiful and I had never heard it before. The lyrics were on a sort of subtitle screen above the stage, but I didn't pay too much attention. It has been twenty years and I have learned all about the history the opera is based on, but not because of the opera. Just because of things I've run across, some history lessons, etc. This piece has always stuck with me and I think others will enjoy it.

Air date: September 25, 2025

Pièces de fantaisie Suite No. 2: Toccata, Louis Vierne

Suggested by Kyle in Portland, Oregon

Every time I would listen to the piece, I can feel the chaotic energy of the song resonate in my chest. It inspires me to paint without a thought of anyone else and has powered my artistic liberties to high extents. Along with it’s chaos, it reminds me of a person who I have inspired to be for many years. Being a rather closed off sixteen year old, this song helps me express myself in so many different lights that I can truly appreciate myself.

Air date: September 24, 2025

Nocturne in E minor, Op. 72, No. 1, Frederic Chopin

Suggested by Aletha in Portland, Oregon

I first heard this piece in one of my favorite childhood movies The Secret Garden. Years later in high school a piano teacher assigned me this piece to learn. I fell in love with it and performed it several times as well as for competition. It's technically not that difficult but it expresses so much emotion. I didn't realize it at the time but I think the reason I related to this piece so deeply was due to the loss of my sister that I experienced at the age of 12. I repressed my grief fairly successfully through the art of spiritual bypassing until college but it was still there simmering under the surface, waiting for me until I was ready. I think this piece of music was one of the only outlets I had to touch in on that grief. There is a part of the piece that diverges a bit and sounds almost like a happy memory or reverie with a hint of longing before it brings you back into the more somber minor key. I think this piece will always be one of my favorite piano compositions. Chopin surely was acquainted with heartbreak.

Air date: September 23, 2025

Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 3, Sergei Rachmaninov

Suggested by Michael in Portland, Oregon

I have always listened to classical music. When I was 11, my father brought home his boss who was visiting from out of town to share dinner with us. This gentleman noticed the small spinet piano in the living room and asked if anyone played. My father said, "Why yes, our son." Nervously I sat at the piano and played Fur Elise by Beethoven. Afterward, my father asked him if he played. He said he dabbled a bit. We asked if he would be willing to play something and he agreed. He sat at the piano and was silent, lifted his hands and began Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C-sharp minor. It was mesmerizing, ethereal, and transformative. That one act cemented my love for classical music. Never had I felt so connected to any other composer or one piece of music. Magical.

Air date: September 22, 2025

Solomon: The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, George Frideric Handel

Suggested by Richard in Salem, Oregon

During the 1970s and 80s I used to milk cows in northeastern Connecticut. It is customary to have music playing in a milking parlor, probably more for the people than the cows, though the cows do seem to be relaxed by music. Most farmers had their radios tuned to the local county western station, but mine was always tuned to WGBH out of Boston. Every weekday morning Robert J. Lurtsema was on the air with his show Morning Pro Musica. His show always began with the Dawn Chorus which always started off with the sounds of birds. First a little chirping, with more birds slowly joining in until finally reaching a crescendo then morphing into Handel’s “Arrival of the Queen of Sheba.”
The introduction of the Sound Sanctuary series during your station reminded me of this. This is the quintessential sound sanctuary for me :)

Air date: September 19, 2025

Symphony No. 1: Movement 4, Johannes Brahms

Suggested by Sydney in Portland, Oregon

This was the first piece I conducted in college when I made the switch from being an instrumentalist to a conductor. I'd always been in love with the romantic era composers but found a new respect for them when I started conducting.

Air date: September 18, 2025

Violin Sonata No. 5 in F, Op. 24 “Spring”, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Anonymous in Salem, Oregon

I very recently discovered this beautiful piece of music, and it has quickly become one of my favorite classical works! Piano and violin is one of my favorite instrument combinations. This first movement is melodious and joyful, and I absolutely love the classical brilliance I hear unfolding throughout the entire movement. Well done, Beethoven. I hope this will be a delight to all the listeners.

Air date: September 17, 2025

Chanson de Matin (arr. Johan de Meij), Edward Elgar

Suggested by Catherine in Vancouver, Washington

I learned this piece as a clarinetist in high school, and to this day its gentle beauty, charm and elegance help me feel more at peace with the world.

Air date: September 16, 2025

Enigma Variations: Nimrod, Edward Elgar

Suggested by Morris in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

This is such a beautiful piece of music. Tender, meaningful with sections repeated more beautiful each time.

Air date: September 3, 2025

Moravian-Slovak Suite: In Church, Vítezslav Novák

Suggested by Morris in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

I first heard this piece of music about 15 years ago. It’s slow beauty that begins its lovely theme lightly, culminates in the main theme played forte by an organ, makes a deep impression on me. I believe few have heard it!

Air date: September 2, 2025

La Campanella, Franz Liszt

Suggested by Jerry in Portland, Oregon

When I was a child, I became a huge fan of the movie Shine (1996). The movie inspired me to want to learn to play the piano. This piece was featured prominently in the movie Shine, and I always had ambitions to learn it. Even at the age of 10, as a novice piano player, I went out and bought the sheet music to try to learn how to play it. Of course, I was nowhere near the skill level for Franz Liszt. But I experimented with trying to play it, even at that young age, and I like to think it was the beginning of me "dreaming big" and shooting to achieve things way beyond my capabilities because of raw ambition.

Air date: September 1, 2025

Appalachian Spring, Aaron Copland

Suggested by Ellar in Charlotte, North Carolina

I moved to Portland in 2019 and almost immediately found All Classical, which became my go-to for calming workday listening and commutes throughout my five years there. When it came time to move back to be near family again, I knew at least I would have the streaming and app options, and I didn’t think too much about radio beyond that.

I was staying with family in my hometown of Asheville, North Carolina when Hurricane Helene hit. For those first several days afterwards—without power, internet, or cell service—listening to our local station on a battery-powered handheld radio became a lifeline. For what felt like ages, it was the only way we had to hear from the outside world, to begin to understand what had happened beyond our own devastated neighborhoods, to find out when and where help was coming. I do not think I will ever take radio for granted again, and so this Five O’Clock Favorite request is a love letter both to All Classical and to my Western North Carolina mountains.

Though All Classical was not specifically part of my Helene story, you have been present in my life for so many years and continue to be now, once again a familiar and grounding calm as I start a new life in Charlotte. Thank you for being on the radio. It truly is a remarkable medium. Thank you for being present the way you are, for bringing comfort and peace. And thank you for letting me share this.

Air date: August 29, 2025

I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Cole Porter

Suggested by Donna in Vancouver, Washington

In 1954, I was the student in charge of concerts at the U of Oregon and had a chance to bring George Shearing and his group for a concert for $850. I sold out the Student Union Auditorium at 85 cents a seat. I had to pick him up at the airport in Eugene and since he hadn't eaten, he took me to dinner. He was a lovely man and I have always treasured the experience.

Air date: August 28, 2025

Piano Concerto No. 2: Andante, Johannes Brahms

Suggested by Ryan in Salem, Oregon

This was on my Brahms at Bedtime CD that my parents would play when I went to sleep as a kid. The opening cello solo has to be one of the most stunningly beautiful melodies ever written.

Air date: August 27, 2025

Valdres March, Johannes Hanssen

Suggested by Dave in Federal Way, Washington

Valdres is a very light-hearted march, intended to depict the Valdres region of Norway. Most marches are martial in character but Valdres is most definitely a concert march, although its opening theme is based on a military fanfare, and it's almost more of a country dance. It's just a delightful piece of music that I've been listening to most of my life and I'd like to share it with others.

Air date: August 26, 2025

Toccata and Fugue in D minor, J.S. Bach

Suggested by Michael and Pauline in Portland, Oregon

Tuesday, August 26, is our 58th wedding anniversary. When we were married in Esher, Surrey, England, the organist at Christ Church loved that we chose something different for the end of the ceremony. We walked out to Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor, and this piece has meant so much to us ever since.
For our 50th anniversary we were in Prague, and walking back to our hotel after dinner at a restaurant as we entered the Old Town Square we heard our wedding march. It was being played by two young men on accordions, and although we are not the greatest fans of accordions, on this warm pleasant evening in Prague, it took us back to that magical day 50 years earlier when we were married.

Air date: August 25, 2025

Piano Concerto No. 21: Andante, W. A. Mozart

Suggested by Mark in Seattle, Washington

It’s my favorite classical piece of music and I want to share it with my mother who I’m certain is listening to this program right now because she listens to it every day! Thanks for introducing me to great music, mom!

Air date: August 22, 2025

Corrente Italiana, Juan Cabanilles

Suggested by Alicia in Hillsboro, Oregon

I recently heard this piece played by a wonderful organist and found it so electrifying! I would love to hear it again but played on a truly grand organ to let the music truly soar.

Air date: August 21, 2025

Symphony No. 1: Blumine, Gustav Mahler

Suggested by Adam in Portland, Oregon

From Christa:
Back in 2021 Adam wrote to me while recovering from double jaw surgery, saying that he had All Classical playing through his phone in his room and -upon hearing Mahler's Symphony No. 1- reached out to tell me it was his all time favorite, and that hearing it had made his day. Adam and I have corresponded several times since 2021, mostly when he heard the station play a new recording of Mahler's First. Fast forward to Monday of this week, when Adam came in for a tour of the radio station and we struck up a conversation again about Gustav Mahler. He suggested I play something from Mahler 1 for a 5:00 Favorite, and I thought this movement (which was originally included by Mahler but later jettisoned and not often heard) would be a fitting choice for someone who loves the work so deeply.

Air date: August 20, 2025

Gnossienne No. 1, Erik Satie

Suggested by Joseph in Portland, Oregon

To be honest, when I first heard Satie's Gnossienne #1, it felt like I had entered into a conflicted melancholic serenity that was both beautiful and unnerving. There's a level of mystery behind this piece that I crave to understand. The soft dissonance that hangs in the air, the modal melody that seems shrouded in antiquity. Satie writes "postulez en vous-mème" (wonder about yourself ) in almost a question to the person playing this piece. "Who are you?" he seems to ask. This piece has never left me. The same feelings and questions always return whenever I hear it which still elude me. I understand why Debussy found Satie to be such an influence. I think that he also felt as if Satie was a mystery needing to be understood.

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