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: 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.

Air date: November 5, 2024

Arabesque No. 1 in E, Claude Debussy

Suggested by Jenni & Dave in Gresham, Oregon

Our daughter played this piece beautifully at the Wisconsin State “Solo and Ensemble” festival several years ago. Hearing her practice was never a chore, and she earned the highest grade for her performance at the festival. Now that she’s at dental school on the east coast, hearing it evokes the same powerful emotions as always — plus nostalgia for times we remember fondly.

Air date: November 4, 2024

Concerto in g minor, Opus 8, No. 6, “Christmas”, Giuseppe Torelli

Suggested by Brian in Vancouver, Washington

When I was a young musician, I played this piece in my youth orchestra. Although I hadn’t really explored baroque music at that time, this piece captivated me and introduced me to that genre. It exhibits a warm and inviting atmosphere, setting the mood for the season. Whenever I hear it now, I just imagine myself sitting in front of a cozy, crackling fireplace in a log cabin, surrounded by the harsh elements of the winter outside.

Air date: October 31, 2024

Graceful Ghost Rag, William Bolcom

Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon

'Tis the season! Also: I am grateful to Mrs. VanWye, my piano teacher, for opening my heart to the piano. She was an amazing person and taught me to play this piece.

Air date: October 30, 2024

Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro, Giacomo Puccini

Suggested by Laura in Corvallis, Oregon

I would love to hear this aria on October 30th, which is my birthday. The piece is featured in one of my favorite movies, "A Room with a View" (1985). Whenever I hear it played, it reminds me of scenes featuring beautiful Italian architecture, sunshine, and blue skies. We could use sunny music in late October; it can get pretty dreary here in the Pacific Northwest!

Air date: October 29, 2024

“Little” Fugue in G minor, J.S. Bach

Suggested by Chuck in Indianapolis, Indiana

This time of year, we hear the "other" Bach organ piece frequently (the Toccata in D minor), and I feel like this one gets overshadowed a bit.

Air date: October 28, 2024

Canon in D, Johann Pachelbel

Suggested by Willow in Portland, Oregon

The first time I heard this was on All Classical and I really liked it... it made me smile because of the way the instruments were added one by one - it just sounds awesome. I hope this puts a smile on someone’s face like it did mine.

Air date: October 25, 2024

Symphony in D minor: 3. Allegro non troppo, Cesar Franck

Suggested by Abigail in Tigard, Oregon

I first heard this, or at least part of it, many years ago when I was a child. It was and remains the most inspiring piece of music I've ever experienced. Why this is so, I cannot say, only that it always has been so.

Air date: October 24, 2024

Ma Vlast (My Fatherland): No. 6: Blanik, Bedrich Smetana

Suggested by Steve in Portland, Oregon

The first name that comes to my mind when I think of composers who wrote tone poems is Bedrich Smetana. His most famous one is "The Moldau." It describes the course of the river Moldau from its trinkling beginnings through the countryside and on to Prague. "The Moldau" is one of six tone poems comprising "Ma Vlast"(My Country). Each tells something of Czech history, legends, landscapes, struggles, hopes for the future. It is magnificent music. The amazing cycle of all 6 tone poems lasts well over an hour; it's an epic journey.

Air date: October 23, 2024

Barber of Seville: Overture, Gioachhino Rossini

Suggested by George in Clackamas, Oregon

When I was about 12, my mother remarried. My stepfather was a music director, and I became, by default, a singer. I sang in multiple choirs in high school and in church, performing gospel, jazz, pop and classical music. Often, we performed a cappella, and I developed a taste for it. One of my favorite vocal groups was The King's Singers. I especially loved their performance of the Overture to the Barber of Seville. I was always trying to get our choir director, my stepfather, to add the song to our repertoire, but he never did. The closest we got was an a cappella version of "Black Bird" which The King's Singers also performed. I don't sing much anymore (probably a good thing for audiences everywhere), but I look back fondly on my forced participation in the performing arts. Even if I didn't get to sing the high parts to the Overture and that great ending.

Air date: October 22, 2024

Impromptu No. 3 in G flat (D 899/Opus 90), Franz Schubert

Suggested by Helmi in Portland, Oregon

I first heard this Schubert Piano impromptu in college and it transported me. I listened to it over and over and still come back 40 years later to it when I want to relax and reflect. I find it quite soothing to listen to.

Air date: October 21, 2024

Violin Concerto In e, Op. 64: Mvmt 3 Allegretto non troppo, Felix Mendelssohn

Suggested by Steve in Portland, Oregon

My wife and I met at an Oregon Symphony concert. The featured work that evening was Mendelssohn's violin Concerto. The soloist was Ani Kavafian. Ever since then it has been "our song", especially the second movement

Air date: October 18, 2024

Capriol Suite: Pieds-en-l’air (Andante tranquillo), Peter Warlock

Suggested by Camille in Washington State

I'm in a church choir. When we sing at midnight mass, the strings always play this piece. I love the emotion and timeless beauty.

Air date: October 17, 2024

Clair de Lune, Claude Debussy

Suggested by Mike in Portland, Oregon

In Honor of Dame Maggie Smith

Air date: October 16, 2024

Symphony No. 3: II. Andante tranquillo, Howard Hanson

Suggested by Martin in West Linn, Oregon

I just think this symphony is not played enough. And this movement contains such beautiful music!

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