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: December 5, 2024

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 this summer, 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 on September 27. 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. And as you play this movement from “Appalachian Spring,” I ask everyone who hears it to keep thinking of all those in Appalachia who are still recovering, who still have a long, exhausting, grief-laden road ahead.

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: December 4, 2024

Ave Maria, Franz Schubert

Suggested by Claudia in Portland, Oregon

Shubert’s Ave Maria was a familiar source of comfort and joy in my Catholic family of origin.

When planning my wedding at age 21, I asked our neighbor Neal Wachenheimer, a young violin prodigy, to provide the ceremonial music. It was his mother who suggested Neal play Ave Maria. “Your father was moved to tears when he heard Neal practicing that piece,” she explained. “In that way, he will be with you at your wedding." I don’t recall sensing my father’s nearness during the Ave Maria processional, only a stab of sadness as my older brother escorted me down the aisle.

Fifty years later, my daughter and her Catholic fiancé, (without knowing my history with the Ave Maria) selected this same piece for their wedding ceremony. When the familiar opening notes sounded, I felt the total joy of being momentarily held in my father’s loving presence.

Air date: December 2, 2024

Partita in D minor: Chaconne, J.S. Bach

Suggested by Jay in Lake Oswego, Oregon

I am a 15 year old violinist. I first heard the Bach Chaconne when I was 9, and ever since then it’s been one of my favorite pieces on violin. I hope to one day learn and perform it when I am ready.

Air date: November 29, 2024

La Valse, Maurice Ravel

Suggested by Nate in Glenwood, Washington

Recently we attended a piano concert, Sound of Movement, played by Mitchell Jett Spencer. We were duly impressed. One of the pieces, La Valse, Maurice Ravel, was introduced by a most unusual and entertaining background story of its composition and debut. La Valse was composed for full orchestra, but 4 rewrites later Ravel produced a version for solo piano, which we heard that evening. Now we would like to hear the original composition for full orchestra. Thank you!

Air date: November 27, 2024

Ma Vlast: 3. Sarka, Bedrich Smetana

Suggested by Steve in Portland, Oregon

This is the third tone poem comprising "Ma Vlast." This one tells the story of a female warrior who, jilted by her lover, swears vengeance on the male race, she meets a group of soldiers and causes them to fall in love with her. She gives them something to drink that puts them to sleep. As they sleep, she and her maidens kill them all. I heard it once noted that this is Smetana at his most Wagnerian. It is very dramatic.

Air date: November 26, 2024

Symphony No. 9: 1. Allegro, Dmitri Shostakovich

Suggested by Linda in Vancouver, Washington

I first heard on this station many years ago and it became an immediate favorite. I play my own CD when I feel like I need energizing circus music. I took issue with announcers during your recent fundraiser who view Shostakovich as "dark". He did have to compose a careful line during Stalin's time, or he would have been composing in a Siberian gulag. And he wanted to be modern, although he didn't quite "get" the concept of jazz. (Jazz Suite is another favorite, thanks for playing that often). But this symphony is happy music to my ears.

Air date: November 25, 2024

Beyond, Wataru Hokoyama

Suggested by Carl in Gresham, Oregon

This was a piece that I played back in high school, and it was one of the last songs I got to play with the school band in my senior year. In the program notes, it is said that this song was composed in the modern Hollywood style of such composers as John Williams, and I think that inspiration very much shines through as I had thought it was from something like Star Trek the first time I had heard it. However, the more our band practiced, and the more that I had listened to it, the more I appreciated the subtle intricacies in each section, and I ended up gaining a new appreciation for the music and classical music as a whole.

One time, we played this piece for a competition and one of the judges had described this as a very fluid piece of music and I have got to agree. Many parts of the song will often shift from one instrument to the next in the middle of the phrase, and the time signature often gained an extra beat or two for just a measure, and it overall just feels very floaty. I don't think my band really mastered it; we definitely couldn't keep that fluid feeling throughout the whole song, but I think we were still able to put on a good show, and this just felt like the perfect send-off for the end of my senior year.

Air date: November 22, 2024

Symphony No. 1: Finale, Johannes Brahms

Suggested by Dave in Federal Way, Washington

Although we played only this movement, my senior year in high school this became the first actual symphony I ever played. I was the first horn player, and when we sight read the piece I somehow nailed the entrance to the first solo line. Of course, when it came time for the concert I splattered the first note*, but other than that the performance went well. To this day I still get goose bumps when I hear that line, as well as the trombone chorus that follows a few measures later (we denizens of the low end, as Anna Russell described us, appreciate each other's music!). The reprise at the end of the movement is just gravy. Anyway, this piece will always have a special place in my heart.
*You, Christa, as a horn player yourself, can appreciate how treacherous the third-line B can be on a single horn, especially in the charge of a nervous high schooler!

Air date: November 21, 2024

Symphony No. 9, “Choral”: 4. Finale, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Elijah in Portland, Oregon

I am 11 years old. Beethoven's Symphony #9 is the first song I heard of Classical music and it's what made me start listening to Classical music.

Air date: November 20, 2024

Pictures at an Exhibition: Selections, Modeste Mussorgsky

Suggested by Jeff in Hillsboro, Oregon

I took piano lessons in my youth and that is when this piece was introduced to me. It has been my favorite classical piece ever since. I love both the orchestral arrangements as well as the original solo piano. I still feel such strong emotions whenever I hear the variations on the Promenade, the timpani drums on the Hut of Baba Yaga, and culminating in chills for the Great Gates of Kiev. I absolutely love this composition and everything about it and I hope your listeners will enjoy it as much as I have.

Air date: November 19, 2024

Orpheus in the Underworld: Overture, Jacques Offenbach

Suggested by Tom in New York, New York

My husband, Joseph, and I are taking our goddaughter Chloe, who lives in Portland, to Paris this Thursday and this would be wonderful music for the three of us to pack our bags to today. (We hear The Five O’Clock favorite at 8 pm EDT). We are seeing a can-can on Thanksgiving night!

Air date: November 18, 2024

Symphony No. 7: II. Allegretto, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Emily in Portland, Oregon

I heard part of this piece last year on All Classical Radio, but I was in the car so I didn't hear the entire piece or the name of the piece or composer. Since then, the second movement's tune has been haunting me. I finally found out what piece it is so that I can listen to it on purpose now. The beautiful melancholy of the second movement feels especially appropriate on these dark, rainy days.

Air date: November 15, 2024

Procession of the Sardar, Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov

Suggested by Martin in Portland, Oregon

My dad brought home an album of this piece when I was about 11. Those 78 rpm records were shellac, and breakable. This one did not get broken, but rather played over and over.

Air date: November 14, 2024

Shenandoah, Traditional American

Suggested by Rebecca in Hillsboro, Oregon

When life starts to feel heavy, I turn to "Comfort and Hope," an album by Yo Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott. Released during the pandemic, it's a contemplative series of soothing tunes. My favorite is their recording of Shenandoah. It takes me away from my troubles and gives me a few moments of peace.

Air date: November 13, 2024

Somewhere in Time: Main Theme, John Barry

Suggested by Dori in Battle Ground, Washington

Many years ago I watched the movie "Somewhere In Time", starring Christopher Reeve (who is most commonly associated with Super Man) and Jane Seymour, and found the music to be so beautiful and memorable. The music greatly enhanced the experience of the movie for me. Additionally, the 18th variation of Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Sergei Rachmaninoff was incorporated into the movie several times. In fact, the first time I had heard that piece was when I watched the movie, and I have enjoyed hearing it ever since. The score for the film, though, was composed and conducted by John Barry. And while Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini is fairly well-known, I don't believe the theme from this movie is. I would like to request that the theme from "Somewhere In Time" be shared with the listeners. I hope they find it as beautiful as I did those many years ago!

Air date: November 12, 2024

Introduction and Tarantella, Op. 43, Pablo de Sarasate

Suggested by Claire in Portland, Oregon

I'm so excited that Itzhak Perlman is performing a recital with pianist Rohan De Silva tonight. The program says they're playing Bach, Strauss and Schumann. Could you share a recording from someone OTHER than those composers, and a performance in which he plays with orchestra? (Just for something different than what I'll hear tonight!)

Air date: November 11, 2024

Air and Simple Gifts, John Williams

Suggested by Carol in Sandy, Oregon

The way these fabulous artists (Yo Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Anthony McGill and Gabriela Montero) put their souls into this arrangement by John Williams... it makes my heart swell.

Air date: November 8, 2024

The Color Purple: Main Title, Quincy Jones

Suggested by Mike in Onalaska, Washington

With the recent death of Quincy Jones I would like to honor him and his huge influence on -and contributions to- American music with this short but masterful piece he composed. It always puts me in a contemplative state, yearning for a better, more peaceful World. I hear something new every time I listen to it. Rest In Peace, Quincy Jones. We will miss you.

Air date: November 7, 2024

Fantasia on Greensleeves, Ralph Vaughan Williams

Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon

This piece reminds of needle-pointing a Christmas stocking on a hot July Sunday morning for my sister in Wisconsin.

Air date: November 6, 2024

Organ Sonata No. 6: IV. Finale, Andante, Felix Mendelssohn

Suggested by Dave in Federal Way, Washington

The significance to me is that when I was taking organ lessons, several decades ago, this was the first work of any scale that I worked on by myself, rather than as part of a lesson. I loved the piece then, and I love it now. Unlike many, if not most featured organ works, this one resolves very calmly and quietly.

But I also think it's a perfect Five O'Clock Favorite because it's a sort of metaphor for the daily routine. The first movement is a chorale on "Von Himmel Hoch" and builds steadily throughout, actually ending rather violently. I picture it as waking up in the morning and thinking "egad, time to go to work/school/whatever". The apprehension builds, culminating in everything blowing up. The boss blows up, there's a massive customer rush at lunchtime, a surprise history test that will count for 25% of your grade, the culvert collapses -- whatever applies.

The second movement is a fugue on the same theme, but comes across more as scurrying to fix things. The explosion is past, now it's time for the cleanup.

Finally the day ends and you get to relax and listen to All Classical on your way home. The third movement is about getting home, greeting the family and the dog, and just kicking back, recovering for the horrific day until you finally fall asleep without even thinking about tomorrow.

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