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: March 10, 2025

The Armed Man – A Mass for Peace: Benedictus, Karl Jenkins

Suggested by Miles in Keizer, Oregon

I first heard this right here on All Classical in the early days of the pandemic and it was one of those rare pieces that made me stop and just listen. Since then, I've listened to it countless times. I think I've watched every version of the full mass available on YouTube at least once. It is always moving. My current favorite is from 2018, when Karl Jenkins himself conducted the World Orchestra for Peace and ~2000 singers in Berlin.

Air date: March 6, 2025

Cello Suite No. 1: Prelude, J.S. Bach

Suggested by Garrick in Newport, Oregon

I am a Wildland Firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service. I have been fighting fires for over 20 years, and with all the stressors that come with the job -and trying to balance a home life as well- this piece of music is the only thing that helps me stay calm. As soon as it starts I instantly feel the stress fall away and I realize "this too shall pass" and I take a deep breath and get back to work. Thank you for all the wonderful music that you provide.

Air date: March 5, 2025

Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Benjamin Britten

Suggested by Gwen in Salem, Oregon

When I was in grade school, there was a district wide music memory challenge for the students. If you did well with the challenge, you got to attend a classical music concert at symphony hall. One of the pieces we studied and that was performed at the concert was Benjamin Britten's "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra". I was so proud I got to attend the concert that inspired my life long curiosity and love of classical music.

Air date: March 4, 2025

The Gadfly: Romance, Dmitri Shostakovich

Suggested by Barbara in Happy Valley, Oregon

I heard this on Valentine's Day and have been thinking about this beautiful piece ever since.

Air date: March 3, 2025

Clair de lune, for solo violin (arr. Ryan Peplinski), Claude Debussy

Suggested by Ryan in Burlington, Ontario, Canada

"Clair de lune" by Debussy, resonates deeply with me, evoking a sense of tranquility and timeless beauty. My virtuoso concert solo violin arrangement brings a fresh intimacy to the piece, allowing the melody to sing with a deeply personal and expressive voice.

Air date: February 21, 2025

Alto Rhapsody, Johannes Brahms

Suggested by Dana in Portland, Oregon

My siblings and I listen to All Classical from different parts of the world throughout the day. Our father Roy Stilwell played in the Oregon Symphony from 1951-1991. (40 years!) His favorite piece of music (and of course being a symphony musician he had many) was Brahms' Alto Rhapsody. It is absolutely beautiful and I’m sure it would please him to know it was played for him on All Classical Radio.

Air date: February 20, 2025

Ma Vlast: The Moldau, Bedrich Smetana

Suggested by Kevin in Siloam Springs, Arkansas

I love this piece because it reminds me of the first time I ever visited Prague and seeing the serene river pass by all of the beautiful Gothic architecture. I have also taken college students to Prague and they respond in the same way with the Prague Castle on the heights above the city as they stand on the Charles Bridge taking it all in. One more reason I'd love to hear this: I also taught at Concordia U (NE PDX) before moving to NW Arkansas to teach at my alma mater in 2012 (and sadly, Concordia closed its doors in 2020 as COVID hit) and-- besides loving Christa's infectious laugh for years now-- hearing this piece on All Classical helps me keep in touch with Portland.

Air date: February 19, 2025

Five Bagatelles for Clarinet and Piano, Gerald Finzi

Suggested by Rick in Campbell River, British Columbia, Canada

I love to hear clarinet music, as I played the clarinet while in college (Royal Rhodes Military College, Victoria BC).

Air date: February 18, 2025

Hogwarts Legacy (2023) [Video Game]: Coastal Vivarium, J Scott Rakozy

Suggested by Estella in Portland, Oregon

It drifts me away into the magical world of Harry Potter while I’m on breaks at work. I became a revived fan of the Harry Potter Franchise while rereading the childhood favorite books with my daughter. I read to her since she was a baby during a time of significant, positive life changes- and she has since been able to read books beyond her age range. So I have her read two pages of a Harry Potter novel each night. When I was a kid, I could only imagine what it would be like to go to Hogwarts. And now that I’m all grown, I find myself blown away at the newest Harry Potter video game which allows one to attend the school. I let my little girl play with and tend to the magical beasts in the Coastal Vivarium. And so the song associated with this game has a special place in my heart as it reminds me of my daughter too. Whenever the long work day is over, I get in my car to listen to 5:00 Favorites, and it would be nice to hear while driving home as I unwind and start getting mentally prepared to spend time with my child again.

Air date: February 17, 2025

Sonata in D minor, Op. 1, No. 12 “La Folia”, Antonio Vivaldi

Suggested by Kathryn in Corvallis, Oregon

I discovered this piece of music about a year or two ago, and was immediately captured by its striking balance between shimmering chaos, and stately gravitas. I love that this piece is based on an early Renaissance dance, La Folia, which originally came out of Spain and Portugal, and in listening it, you can see how it would be really fun to dance to. I have listened to many recordings of this piece, but one I enjoy in particular is the version performed by Apollo's Fire, a Baroque orchestra based in Cleveland. This version is arranged for a concerto grosso, so a whole string orchestra gets to join in on the fun, and I love how the sound builds with each progression and variation. I think this piece is just the thing to energize and inspire all of us as we wrap up our day.

Air date: February 13, 2025

The Lark Ascending, Ralph Vaughan Williams

Suggested by Elliot in Portland, Oregon

I used to live in North Carolina where, coincidentally the local classical music station is also on 89.9 (shoutout to WDAV). I had the radio on driving home from work, and when this song came on I had to pull into a parking lot to fully listen while the sun set. It feels both sorrowful and hopeful, courageous despite overwhelming odds. It still makes me tear up every time I hear it!

Air date: February 12. 2025

Canon in D, Johann Pachelbel

Suggested by Blake in Portland, Oregon

Growing up, my mom introduced me to classical music, and this was one of her favorites. We grew up in Ohio, but came out to Portland for family vacations and usually spent a few days with aunts, uncles and cousins at Cannon Beach each trip. Back home, whenever my mom put on this piece, my six-year-old brain assumed that canon was spelt C-A-N-N-O-N -like the beach- and that this Pachelbel fellow must have also spent time at Cannon Beach - he was probably inspired to write this music by a vacation to the coast! (This conclusion was only solidified when at some point later on in my childhood my mom got the Anastasi Mavrides album that included wave sounds.) So to this day, this piece continues to make me think of sunny summer days, warm sand, waves majestically crashing up against the shore at Haystack Rock, and seagulls playing in the sea spray. And it also makes me smile in appreciation of the beauty of kid logic.

Air date: February 11, 2025

Scheherazade: The Young Prince and the Young Princess, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Suggested by Michael in Beaverton, Oregon

My first introduction to classical music was Scheherazade. When my wife and I were dating, we sat on the lawn outside the paid setting area at Milwaukee, Wisconsin's scaled down version of the Hollywood Bowl. Scheherazade was one of pieces the orchestra played. I have a strong attachment to Scheherazade. My wife Carol passed away in early January and that concert is one of my favorite memories.

Air date: February 10, 2025

Piano Sonata No. 14, “Moonlight”, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Elizabeth in Milwaukie, Oregon

My mother, Frances, who passed away a little over a week ago, played the piano beautifully. At 14 I took an interest in the piano and while lessons were not something we could afford, she tried to teach me to play. Moonlight Sonata was one of her favorites she played on our old upright piano. I would dearly love to hear a pianist of your choice play Moonlight Sonata in her honor. I am her twin, musically speaking, with the exception of a crazy love for bagpipes. She loved music, cooking, gardening, birds, reading and old musicals. Thank you to everyone at All Classical for enriching my life. I listen to the station in the car and the kitchen when I prepare meals.

Air date: February 6, 2025

The Promise of Living, Aaron Copland

Suggested by Ben in Salem, Oregon

There are very few pieces of music that bring me or nearly bring me to tears every time I listen. This is one of them. This piece makes me think of my children and the world I want them to live in and the promise I have given to them to do the very best I can to prepare them to live in that world.

Air date: February 5, 2025

An Die Musik, Franz Schubert

Suggested by Katharine in Portland, Oregon

I first heard this piece sung at a memorial service for an opera singer, which was held at a Unitarian Universalist fellowship in Pennsylvania. I fell in love with it immediately - both for the beautiful music and the meaningful words. I’d love to hear it sung by Elisabeth Schwarzkopf.

Air date: February 4, 2025

Fantasy On Japanese Woodprints, Alan Hovhaness

Suggested by Sarah in Brush Prairie, Washington

My sister and I were born in Japan, and are half Japanese on our mother's side. My dad, though, is 100% PNW American (he wears a raincoat in the rain, while Japanese people universally use umbrellas.) He was the one who introduced us to classical music, including this piece by Hovhaness. He has always said that Hovhaness represents the wonderful cultural mix of the PNW. So I would like to hear this piece, especially the exciting end.

Air date: February 3, 2025

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

Suggested by Ken in Portland, Oregon

I'm from LA, and on a trip down there some 7 years ago, I found myself driving on Sunset Blvd westward toward the I-405 freeway. As I negotiated the curves passing all the mansions, the classical radio station there was playing Bach's Chaconne for solo violin (part of Partita No. 2), and the whole listening experience was magical for me. I kept my eyes on the road as I continued my drive, but I was transported by the music. Now, as LA continues to deal with the horrors & challenges of the wild fires, I'd love to hear this Chaconne again, and hope it will offer us all some solace and serenity.

Air date: January 31, 2025

Appalachian Spring, Aaron Copland

Suggested by Elizabeth in Portland, Oregon

Many people know Appalachian Spring as an orchestral piece by Aaron Copland. I know it as an integral piece of American Dance History. "Appalachian Spring" originated as a ballet composed by Aaron Copland and choreographed by Martha Graham; it was originally commissioned as a dance piece for her company and was well received at its debut in 1944. The Martha Graham Dance Company is the oldest dance company in the U. S. celebrating 100 years this season. They are currently touring the US and recently performed at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland. During that performance, highlights from Appalachian Spring were performed with excerpts of letters from Martha to Aaron, read aloud by the Artistic Director; giving light to the creative collaboration that resulted in this masterpiece. Martha Graham is one of my favorite American Dance Pioneers, and this pivotal piece contributes to Aaron Copland being one of my favorite composers!

Air date: January 30, 2025

Christ on the Mount of Olives: Hallelujah, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Dave in Canby, Oregon

I first heard this piece as I was recovering from a life threatening injury 49 years ago. It immediately became one of my favorites. This is one of the all time great choruses. I consider it to be on a par with Handel's Hallelujah Chorus; it is so beautiful and majestic. I consider this also to be as good as his chorus in the 9th symphony which I also love. Beethoven was truly a master of great music and his reputation as such is well deserved. Thank you for playing this.

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