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: January 10, 2025

Variations on “America”, Charles Ives

Suggested by Jeff in Portland, Oregon

I love all these variations, especially the one that sounds like a tango and the one that presages the clippity-clop of burro's hooves in "On the Trail" from Ferde Grofe's Grand Canyon Suite composed thirty years later! But most of all I like the final coda where the original theme comes back triumphant. Always good for a tear in the eye and a lump in the throat.

This piece has a fascinating provenance: composed for organ in 1891 when Charles Ives was only 17 years old it had limited performance until E. Power Biggs rediscovered it in 1949. My favorite version is that for full orchestra created in 1962. That's what I'd like you to play.

Air date: January 9, 2025

Songs My Mother Taught Me, Antonin Dvorak

Suggested by Liz in Portland, Oregon

During the Pandemic I was living alone and isolated as many other people were. Prior to the shutdown I had participated in dancing of all types. I had done Balkan, Scandinavian, and Israeli folk dancing. I had also enjoyed Latin dancing as well as swing and waltz dance. I missed all forms of dancing terribly. Since I couldn't go out to dance I decided to teach myself to choreograph modern and contemporary dances in my living room which has a beautiful hardwood floor and lots of room. The first piece I chose was Songs My Mother Taught Me by Anton Dvorak. Its so emotionally moving, gentle and contemplative. I worked four months and had fun inventing dance moves to the song. When I felt it was completed I invited a few friends over to watch. I have gone on to choregraph five other dances to classical music pieces that I first heard on All Classical.

Air date: January 8, 2025

Song of India, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Suggested by John in Corvallis, Oregon

While working in East Africa I was able to hear Rimsky-Korsakov's music performed at an outdoor venue overlooking the Indian Ocean. This piece brings back fond memories of sunny days, beautiful white beaches, and azure blue seas on the Kenyan Coast. My wife and I would both enjoy hearing this.

Air date: January 7, 2025

William Tell Overture: Finale, Gioachhino Rossini

Suggested by Norma in Vancouver, Washington

We arrived at our new assignment at Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath in England after a 20 hour flight and checked in to billeting. Our internal clocks were in jet lag mode and it was a struggle to settle in to sleep, so at 0200 (2:00am) we were still wide awake. And that is when the William Tell overture started over the loud speakers ALL OVER the base to signal the beginning of an alert calling active duty personnel to their posts. Leaning out the windows to watch all the action alongside the music was quite the memory maker. (We learned afterward that the American forces agreed not to sound the usual air raid sound to call the alert out of respect for the reaction of neighboring civilians who had lived through WWll.) It was the most exhilarating alert call we experienced in all our 22 years!

Air date: January 6, 2025

Ride of the Valkyries, Richard Wagner

Suggested by Jeff in Ridgefield, Washington

I’m seventy now, but this suggestion is me paying penance to my middle school music teacher. Mr Bauch must have seen potential in me back then, I’ve no idea why. He was persistent and so was I. I still see Mr Bauch’s face light up at the sight of the apple on his desk, a feeling of appreciation. BUT if you had previously taken said apple, and gently tapped it on a table top, the center turns to mush while the skin stays intact. So, when Mr. Bauch picked it up and discovered the ploy, in frustration, he threw the apple at the back wall of the classroom, where it splattered. As I look back, I do recall him playing “Ride of the Valkyries” and “Night on Bald Mountain” on the school’s vinyl turntable, so here you go: cheers to you Mr Bauch.

Air date: January 1, 2025

La Boheme: Che gelida manina, Giacomo Puccini

Suggested by Victoria in Milwaukie, Oregon

La Boheme introduced me to opera; this song touched my heart. It seems to be tailor-made for Pavarotti.

Air date: December 30, 2024

Horn Concerto No. 3, W. A. Mozart

Suggested by Tom in Auburn, Alabama

It's just fun to hear, and the scoring is different ---the winds consist of pairs of clarinets and bassoons, not the usual oboes and horns.

Air date: December 27, 2024

Symphony No. 5: 2. Larghetto, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Victoria in Milwaukie, Oregon

My first impression of Beethoven was of an angry genius. This particular passage offered a glimpse of his deep humanity, and his love for the world.

Air date: December 26, 2024

Four Motets on Gregorian Themes: 1. Ubi caritas et amor, Maurice Durufle

Suggested by George in Sherwood, Oregon

In 1971, I was privileged to be a member of the Oregon State University Choralaires during a European choir tour. In Rome, we were invited to park our backpacks and other luggage at a Monastery dedicated to Pope Gregory. The chapel was very ornate and had a high ceiling made with Roman arches. The head monk gave us a short tour and told us some of the history. We learned that Pope Gregory was associated with the development of Gregorian Chant. After the tour, many of us went back into the chapel to drink in the fact that we were standing right where Gregorian Chant began. We spontaneously broke into singing Ubi Caritas. It was ethereal, and the sounds will stay with me forever.

Air date: December 19, 2024

Star Wars – Throne Room and End Titles, John Williams

Suggested by Dave in Woodburn, Oregon

Hey Christa! Edmund Stone will appreciate this story too. There I was... it is 1977 and I am stationed in Germany flying the mighty McDonnell Douglas F-4E All Weather Supersonic Fighter Bomber (mostly bomber) with the United States Air Force. My mother, knowing I am a science fiction fanatic sent me a newspaper clipping showing people lined up around the block waiting to get in to see this new movie called Star Wars. Well, I checked with the local Armed Forces movie theater and although they had an arrangement with the major movie companies to get first release movies at no or low cost to show to the troops (dating back to World War II), for whatever reason Star Wars was not going to be released into the military movie system. So a quick check of the International Herald Tribune (our 1977 substitute for the internet) revealed it was playing in London. Well. One Friday I and another lieutenant borrowed a Phantom and flew it cross country to RAF Lakenheath about 80 miles northeast of London. We were in the habit of checking in with the RAF Eastern Radar and offering ourselves as a target for practice intercepts from British-based fighters so we did that. As we crossed over the Dutch coast into the North Sea we descended to 500 feet and accelerated to 600 knots - just shy of supersonic as we often overflew civilian ships and ferries and did not want to blow out windows... And Eastern Radar was happy to scramble their Quick Reaction Alert on us and they ran a perfect intercept and proceeded to escort us to RAF Lakenheath where we put on an arrival airshow... Quick change into civiies, we popped into the Officer's Club for a short snort and bumped into retired Brigadier General Robin Olds of all people (who we knew from the Air Force Academy) and spent far too much time drinking Scotch and telling tall tales... we almost missed the last train to London, but did make it to the movie house just in time to catch the last showing for the day of Star Wars. It was fabulous! A most memorable weekend!

Air date: December 17, 2024

Elizabethan Serenade, Ronald Binge

Suggested by Peter in Hillsboro, Oregon

A while back I was talking with my daughters about the earliest music we can remember from our childhood. For me it was Elizabethan Serenade. The first time I heard this tune was in the early 60's when I was a very young lad, living in Europe with my grandparents. I never knew the title, but remember every time this piece was played on the radio, one of my grandparents would turn up the volume. Perhaps the reason this melody stuck in my head was because I was in a warm, loving and happy space. Because I never knew the title of this piece, it was quite by accident when learned it was called "Elizabethan Serenade" after hearing it in a British documentary about the late Queen. Thanks to that documentary, I was able to get the music title from the credits. The Elizabethan Serenade brings me happy memories of spending time with my grandparents.

Air date: December 17, 2024

Afterwards, Jon Lord

Suggested by Robin in Portland, Oregon

As a dedicated All-Classical listener, I try to appreciate the beauty and inspiration in music wherever I find it. Re-tracing some past memories via my Lp collection recently, I started down a path with a recording in 1969 by the hardrock band Deep Purple, titled: Concerto for Group and Orchestra with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by the brilliant composer Malcolm Arnold. The band’s organist/keyboard player, Jon Lord, had a classical sound which intrigued me. That record was an interesting discovery I never forgot.

I went searching for other recordings by Jon Lord and found one in particular that represents his lifelong commitment to classical music and composing. It's called “To Notice Such Things”, and it has become a favorite of mine.

The piece I’d like to suggest for the 5 O’Clock Favorite is called “Afterwards”. It's bittersweet music over delicate piano figurations that is deeply moving.

Air date: December 16, 2024

Piano Sonata No. 8, “Pathetique”: 2. Adagio cantabile, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Nancy in Vancouver, Washington

I was greatly influenced by Charles Schulz's Peanuts as a child. Snoopy is my favorite character, and I still enjoy "quaffing" root beer with my pizza because of him. But I also had an affinity for Schroeder and his love for Beethoven. I used to say Beethoven was my favorite composer simply because Schroeder did, but then I grew to truly love his music the more I listened to it. I believe that my first introduction was hearing Schroeder play the second movement of Beethoven's Piano Sonata #8 in the 1969 movie, A Boy Named Charlie Brown. I love all kinds of music, but Beethoven's music stirs my emotions like nothing else does. I would love to hear this piece played on Beethoven's birthday, as both a tribute to him, and to Schroeder.

Air date: December 13, 2024

Sure On This Shining Night, Morten Lauridsen

Suggested by Carolyn in Portland, Oregon

When I first heard this song played as a 5 O'Clock Favorite a few years ago, I felt a peace and relaxation come over me hearing the voices blend together in beautiful harmony in this extraordinary piece. Whenever I think of this song it brings a smile to my face and a lovely memory. I would love to hear it again. Thank you Christa!!

Air date: December 12, 2024

Cinderella: Introduction, Sergei Prokofiev

Suggested by Henry in Lake Oswego, Oregon

Years ago we had our hearts set on attending an opera for our anniversary. As luck would have it there was no opera performing that week. On a whim I got online to scout out out operas out of town. “How about Paris?” We actually did it! Our tickets were not to an opera, though, but to Rudolf Nureyev’s ballet CINDERELLA at Opera Garnier. The memory of our very first ballet lives on every time we hear CINDERELLA.

Air date: December 11, 2024

Maple Leaf Rag, Scott Joplin

Suggested by Ginny in Peachtree Corners, Georgia

My mom loved to play old classical numbers on the piano. She also loved to dance. She told me she was once with a dance group entertaining troops at Fort Totten in New York. We also went on a trip to Italy once and while there she fondly remembered doing the Bossa Nova with an Italian opera singer. This month marks the 6th anniversary of her death, and Joplin's music embodies both the old tunes and the dance she loved so much. Thank you most sincerely for delightful background music all day as I work from home. Your daily company is a priceless treasure.

Air date: December 10, 2024

Peer Gynt: Anitra’s Dance, Edvard Grieg

Suggested by Rachel in Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill, North Carolina

The first piece of media you buy with your own money is a modern rite of passage for teens. Wad of dollars in my pocket, the CD of Edvard Grieg's Peer Gynt suites called to me like nothing else. An aluminum case with Raphaelite paintings. With my Discman and headphones, I carried the CD anywhere. Imagine a tween at recess, carrying a CD player and listening to this CD on a loop, holding the case like studying it would unlock a profound secret of the universe. I bought it for the Hall of the Mountain King, but Anitra's Dance is what I came to love. I rarely hear the piece on most classical stations because the other parts of the suite loom large in pop culture. It is light and sensual and inviting, a warm piece for these cold evenings. My Discman eventually wore out and the headphones frayed beyond repair, but that CD has stayed all these years. I don't pick it up as often, but I keep it for the story.

Air date: December 9, 2024

Symphony No. 3, “Symphony of Sorrowful Songs”: Mvmt II: Lento, Górecki, Henryk

Suggested by Alexia in Milwaukie, Oregon

When I was 17, my grandfather passed away. My family had to quickly make the 8 hour drive to where the funeral would be held. Just as I was being bundled into the car by my father, my boyfriend at the time (now husband) handed me a mix CD (it was the era for that). On it were a number of classical pieces that he loved, and I fell in love with one of them too, as I listened to it on repeat for the entire drive. Henryk Górecki - Symphony No. 3, Movement II (It has to be the 2nd movement) captured the moment I was experiencing perfectly. To this day, every time I hear this piece I am transported back to the quiet of wintery Vermont, snow falling in the woods, and think of my grandfather. Over time the piece has become representative of sitting quietly with grief and it has the ability to calm my heart.

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.

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