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: October 1, 2024

Piano Sonata in B-flat Major: 1. Molto Moderato, Franz Schubert

Suggested by Travis in Helsinki, Finland

Mark Westcott is a former concert pianist and Portland native. He recently passed away on March 30th, 2024. For the latter part of his life, he taught students in Portland from whom he was deeply revered. Mark's career as a concert pianist was stunted by skin cancer in his 40's. I studied under Mark starting in 2020 up until he passed, and what drew me to him as a teacher was that I was undergoing treatment for melanoma at the time. His indomitable, unyielding spirit gave me confidence both at the piano and while facing cancer. I miss him deeply. He has a YouTube channel full of his masterful performances, all of which are worth listening to.

Air date: September 30, 2024

Short Ride in a Fast Machine, John Adams

Suggested by Eve in Hamilton, Montana

My parents were musicians and exposed me to all sorts of music, from Traditional American, Blues, Jazz, Opera, and of course Classical. And as a result I listen to many genres but classical is my absolute love! I so appreciate the true community nature of this station and I'm so happy to have discovered this amazing resource of calm, culture, humor and friendship!

Air date: September 27, 2024

Duetto Buffo Di Due Gatti (Cat Duet), Gioachhino Rossini

Suggested by Ellen in Ridgefield, Washington

Why this piece? Having fun is a requirement in life!

Air date: September 25, 2024

Coppelia: Ballet Suite, Leo Delibes

Suggested by Andra in Portland, Oregon

My beloved Mother recently passed away, and this piece of music was one of her favorites; I would like to hear it in memory of her. This music touched her so much that she would get tears when she heard it because it was so beautiful!

Air date: September 24, 2024

Etude in E, Op. 10 No. 3, “Tristesse”, Frederic Chopin

Suggested by Jerry in Lincoln, Nebraska

My mother was a music major so I grew up with a lot of exposure to music. She used to play this piece a lot. It is challenging to play, but she practiced a lot and powered through. Sadly, my mother passed away last year. Anytime I hear this music it stirs up great emotion in me, Nostalgia I guess. I just wanted to share this great work with everyone.

Air date: September 23, 2024

Prelude in G minor, Op. 23 No. 5, Sergei Rachmaninov

Suggested by Dave in Federal Way, Washington

Everybody is familiar with Rachmaninoff's Prelude in c# minor. It's one of those pieces where you can honestly say "I can name that tune in one note," even with four octaves of unison A! Less well known -- although not a well-kept secret -- is his Prelude in g minor. I happened across it one day in one of my hundreds of books of piano music and fell in love with it immediately! There's no particular reason why, but I like it better than its more famous cousin. Warning: the middle, lyrical section can be a bit of an earworm!

Air date: September 20, 2024

Sea Pictures: Sea Slumber-Song & In Haven (Capri), Edward Elgar

Suggested by Lynelle in Portland, Oregon

My dad, who was a professional musician, purchased a brand-new LP of this recording in 1965. I was five at the time and recall being absolutely enthralled with the composition, the lyrics, and most of all vocalist Janet Baker. It became a staple in our home music library, and as I grew, I not only memorized the lyrics, but would pretend I was Janet Baker singing them.
Years later, I introduced the piece to my husband, Travis Hatton, who later had the privilege of programming and conducting it with one of his area orchestras and a local, well known mezzo soprano. Although my husband and my parents are now gone, this piece — and this iconic recording, in particular — remain a staple in the family library we created for ourselves and our children.

Air date: September 19, 2024

Second Eve, Ola Gjeilo

Suggested by Stella in Camas, Washington

I first heard "Second Eve" when a dear friend played it for me, the first of many pieces of choral music we've continued to share and experience with each other ever since. This piece always brings me great joy, both because of the friendship it continually reminds me of and because of its melancholy beauty. I want to share that beauty and my joy with everyone who hears it.

Air date: September 4, 2024

Trio for Horn, Violin & Piano in E-flat: 4. Allegro con brio, Johannes Brahms

Suggested by Richard in Oregon

When I was a graduate student at Columbia University in 1968, I went to hear Barry Tuckwell play the Brahms horn trio at Lincoln Center. At the time I didn't care who else was playing - I went to hear Tuckwell. Turned out the other two performers were Itzhak Perlman and Vladimir Ashkenazy! Wow! The web tells me that performance was recorded. If it's available, it would be great to re-hear that and be 22 again!

Air date: September 3, 2024

Feathered Dove, Isaac Watts (arr. Adam Jacob Simon)

Suggested by Addison in Goldendale, Washington

Culomba is a choral group fond of singing folk music, This is the title song of their 2023 album which I got to hear performed live in Seattle on the heels of a choral singing workshop. After the performance, folk dancing commenced spontaneously as the Ensemble provided the music. A memorable performance that has been indelible in my memory ever since.

Air date: September 2, 2024

Blue Echo / Country Gentleman, Chet Atkins

Suggested by Dave in Federal Way, Washington

My father passed away recently at the age of 88. He absolutely loved guitar music, especially the playing of Chet Atkins. Could you please play something in his honor?

Air date: August 30, 2024

Trumpet Tune and Air, Henry Purcell

Suggested by Jeff & Linda in Waldport, Oregon

We're requesting that you please play this beautiful tune on Friday, August 30th, our 50th wedding anniversary. Our wedding ceremony was simple and, being 1974, mostly non-traditional. Neither of us cared much for the traditional Wedding March, and when our organist suggested this piece we were really pleased and frankly, relieved. A lovely little ceremony, pretty wedding day, and here we are 50 years on and still crazy for each other. And by the way, we're proud to be supporting monthly contributors!

Air date: August 29, 2024

Piano Sonata No. 21 “Waldstein”, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Tim in Vancouver, Washington & Joshua in Portland, Oregon

From Tim:
In the late-70's I was a young electronics engineer working in Silicon Valley. A musician since I was 12, for some diversion from high tech I was playing oboe/English horn with a 90 piece quality community orchestra in San Mateo, California; a good ensemble with a fine sound. We had just completed an all Beethoven concert (Egmont Overture, Symphony #7 and Piano Concerto #4). Our piano soloist was a recent conservatory graduate who had won some local competition. I didn't hear much of his reading of the 4th since I was busy playing but I was excited when he came back on stage and announced the Waldstein as his encore. (I also play the piano and the Waldstein has always been among the most challenging pieces for me.)

Christa, I tell you, this young pianist must have been channeling the great Ludwig Van himself that night. I have never before or since heard that sonata played so well, with such intensity, joy and passion. He was not a big kid and in the third movement during the unbelievably difficult strettos (stretti?) he was literally coming up off the piano bench; the grin on his face was epic. As he thundered to the finale, everyone in the hall, both on and off stage, sat in stunned silence for at least 5 full seconds before erupting into a delirious standing ovation that went on for several minutes.

It's been almost 50 years and I regret that I lost the program and I can't remember his name but I still remember that performance and I hope he went on to a brilliant career. And that is why I still go to live concerts!

From Joshua:
I love this sonata! The grandeur, the moodiness... and then it bursts forward with that repeated triumphal pattern in the right hand with the magical “third hand” trill. I first heard it in college and it stops me dead in my tracks every time I hear it.

Air date: August 28, 2024

Mo Ghile Mear (My Galant Hero), Sean Clarach Mac Domhnaill (Arr Desmond Earley)

Suggested by Kenneth in Brush Prairie, Washington

Just recently our company lost a coworker. It has left a hole for many of us. She was a wonderful person full of spirits and smiles. It took some time to mourn but it was this music that helped me find peace. It is also fitting music for that woman's soul. Now I would like to share this wonderful choral sound to give tribute to that wonderful lady that we have just lost.

Air date: August 27, 2024

This is My Song (Finlandia Hymn), Jean Sibelius

Suggested by Vic in Salida, Colorado

Uplifting and serene, this excerpt from Finlandia has often been proposed as the Finnish national anthem. Performed covertly under Russian occupation, this piece is the symbol of the Finns' fight for independence. A piece of such transcendent beauty, it will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, and bring a tear to your eye.

Air date: August 26, 2024

Mysterious Mountain: Movement 1, Alan Hovhaness

Suggested by Kelsey in Kalamazoo, Michigan

This is one of the first pieces we heard on All Classical Radio many years ago. My husband had learned of the station on a work trip and when we tuned in, this piece was playing. What a beaut! We’ve been all in on All Classical ever since :)

Air date: August 23, 2024

Divertimento for Strings: 3. Allegro assai, Bela Bartok

Suggested by Albert in Vancouver, Washington

When I entered college in the early 1950s, I was a utter misfit. Having skipped grades in elementary school, I was 16 when I arrived on campus, a nerdy Jewish scholarship student from an academically oriented public high school. I had only one purpose in being at college- earning a degree in a field that would lead to a decent job. My only other interests were chess and music, classical and jazz.

Mild hazing was constantly inflicted on freshman. We were required to wear funny little hats called “dinks,” at all times. Attending events like pre-football-game pep rallies was mandatory. All this was in the name of building “school spirit,” which I totally lacked. I’d gone to an excellent high school, so I found most of my courses a breeze, often concerned with material I already knew. I was quite lonely and having difficulty in making friends.

While I was in high school, the Philadelphia public schools had furnished peanut gallery tickets to concerts of the Philadelphia Orchestra for a quarter. I went often. But the small industrial city where the college was located offered little in the way of music. Consequently I was very excited when I learned that the Boyd Neel Orchestra was scheduled to play in the auditorium of a local junior high school in late October. I was crestfallen when I subsequently discovered that the time and date coincided with a pep rally where attendance would be taken.

At the rally I sat near an exit and quietly slipped out as soon as I could. It was a rainy night and I arrived at the concert wet and late. I was in time, however, for Bela Bartok’s Divertimento for Strings. I’d never heard Bartok’s music before. It sent shivers down my spine. I found the pizzicato passage near the end of third movement especially thrilling. Leaving at concert’s end, I unexpectedly encountered a classmate. On our way back to campus we stopped for coffee and talked about the program and music in general.

That night was the start of a friendship that lasted well beyond undergraduate years and a lifelong appreciation of Bartok.

Air date: August 22, 2024

La Valse, Maurice Ravel

Suggested by Mo in Aurora, Colorado

When I was young, my mother forbade pop music, so I grew up on classical. One album we had was 'Ports of Call', which was all impressionistic composers. (I think my mom got it for "Bolero") In addition to impressionistic music I also love waltzes, and this piece combines both. I used to dance around my living room to it. In 11th grade, I danced it for my final in PE, all 15 min. It raised my grade from a "C" to an "A". I couldn't do that now, but I still love it.

Air date: August 21, 2024

A Single Petal of a Rose, Duke Ellington

Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon

Duke Ellington is usually thought of as a jazz artist, but I find this similar to Edward MacDowell's piece called a "To a Wild Rose." This is also a soothing piece for the commute.

Air date: August 20, 2024

Fratres for 8 cellos, Arvo Part

Suggested by Vic in Salida, Colorado

This piece, while both gentle and subtle, commands your attention. One of the most beautiful pieces ever written!

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