Programs & Hosts

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 21, 2023

Peer Gynt: Solveig’s Song, Edvard Grieg

Suggested by Dieter in Silvignano, Umbria, Italy

I'm a grateful supporter of All Classical Portland. This beautiful piece of music is in memory of Myrna Hasle.

Air date: March 20, 2023

Capricho Arabe, Francisco Tarrega

Suggested by Jorge in Portland, Oregon

It is the month of my mom's birthday, and I'd love to dedicate this to her.

Air date: March 15, 2023

Empire of the Sun: Suo Gan, Traditional Welsh

Suggested by Anonymous in Portland, Oregon

There is truly nothing in the world so angelic and pleasing to the soul as the pure voices of children. From someone so young comes a sound so undeniably beautiful and equally powerful. This piece (a Welsh lullaby) is especially moving, as is the film it is used in, and I hope that it will bring peace and wonder to those who listen.

Air date: March 14, 2023

Cinema Paradiso: Love Theme, Ennio Morricone

Suggested by Don in Portland, Oregon

I think of Ennio Morricone as the "John Williams" of Italy, with many film scores, including even some American westerns. His soundtrack for Cinema Paradiso is a fine romantic piece that highlights the stature of the film itself which is about honoring those role models who have helped to make us who we are today. Plus it's a great relaxing tune after a day's work!

Air date: March 13, 2023

Notturno (from Six Pieces for Piano), Ottorino Respighi

Suggested by Mary in Menasha, Wisconsin

This piece is a new favorite for me. I recently relocated from Portland back to Wisconsin where I grew up, having missed my family and the seasons. I love especially the snow. I was listening to some online music the day of my first Wisconsin snowfall and this piece started just as the first gentle snowflakes began to fall. The music and imagery fit perfectly and I will never forget that day. Now I hear the stories of friends and co-workers experiencing the great snow of 2023 there in Portland and thought you might appreciate this beautiful piece of music portraying both the gentleness and the storminess that winter can bring. So glad I can continue to enjoy All Classical Portland from my new home here.

Air date: March 10, 2023

Pines of Rome: The Pines of the Appian Way, Ottorino Respighi

Suggested by Kurt in Albany, Oregon

This is one of my favorite classical pieces. I first heard this performed at the Schnitz when James DePriest was the conductor about 22 years ago. My wife and I had season tickets and we went frequently as she was pregnant with our first child: the last of our pre-child date nights. The orchestra even played the song again as an encore. I love how the piece builds to a majestic crescendo at the end. And I love the trumpet part in the piece. It holds a special place in my heart as I was a trumpet player in grades 4-8. However, it is one of the few pieces where the triangle player gets to go for the gusto! Go triangle!!!

Air date: March 9, 2023

Goyescas: Coloquio en la reja (Conversation at the Window), Enrique Granados

Suggested by Uta in Oregon

This gives me goosebumps, it is so full of emotions and energy. Alicia de Larrocha plays it perfectly to my taste! Her playing is powerful and sensitive at the same time.

Air date: March 8, 2023

Polonaise in A-flat, Op. 53, Frederic Chopin

Suggested by Whit in Beaverton, Oregon

As the child of a Piano Performance graduate and World Music professor, I heard this piece performed by my father many times. It seems to be his favorite; so of course it became mine as well. We live on opposite sides of the world now (Kuwait-Oregon), and Seong-Jin Cho's performance of this magnificent piece is the closest I can get to home.

Air date: March 7, 2023

Spirit Chief Names the Animal People, Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate

Suggested by Christine in Lexington, Kentucky

This is fun piece and a great legend in the Native American tradition.

Air date: March 6, 2023

La Lisonjera (The Flatterer), Cecile Chaminade

Suggested by Scott in Portland, Oregon

As I was growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, after my three older brothers and I had been put to bed, my father would often sit down at our piano in the living room and play his favorite pieces lulling us to sleep. This was my favorite. I just got the sheet music for it yesterday and look forward to learning this piece if I am able. The bio in the music notes that poet Ambroise Thomas, after a performance of one of her works, said “this is not a woman who composes, but a composer who is a woman.” Pretty apt for Women's History Month, right?

Air date: March 3, 2023

In Caelum Fero (To the Wild Heavens), Karl Jenkins

Suggested by Becca in Portland, Oregon

Every time I hear this, it shocks me and sends thrills of emotion through my body. I was first introduced to Karl Jenkins' Adiemus project when I was in the 5th grade by a chorus teacher, and I remember being entranced by the idea that the composer had created the language featured in his songs to be as beautiful to listen to as possible.

Air date: March 2, 2023

Ubi Caritas, Paul Mealor

Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon

I heard this recently on Andrea Murray's late night show and I thought it also might be great to drive home to.

Air date: March 1, 2023

Amazigh Lullaby (“I met my big brother”), Traditional Berber

Suggested by Christa in Portland, Oregon

On this, the first day of Women's History Month, the station has been honoring great women composers and performers. I selfishly wanted you to hear the magnificent voice of Monserrat Figueras so that we could celebrate her brilliance among the other women featured today.

Air date: February 28, 2023

Morango… Almost a Tango, Thomas Oboe Lee

Suggested by Daniel in Tigard, Oregon

Intrigued simply by the name "Kronos," Kronos Quartet's album "White Man Sleeps" was one of the first CDs I ever purchased. I popped it in the player and, at Track 4, I was entranced with "Morango...Almost a Tango," 6-plus minutes of wistful, haunting music... not especially fast but filled with energy and swooping glissandi. Is there such a thing as "desert island CD tracks"? If so, this is one of mine!

Air date: February 27, 2023

Schindler’s List: Main Theme, John Williams

Suggested by Arden in Eugene, Oregon

I live in Eugene and am a part of the Eugene Symphony organization. I also travel routinely to Portland and am a routine listener to you folks. I love Itzhak Perlman's rendition of this haunting tune.

Air date: February 24, 2023

Helplessly Hoping, Crosby, Stills & Nash

Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon

What a legend David Crosby was. He was beyond great.

Air date: February 22, 2023

Maometto Secondo (Mahmed the Second): Overture, Gioacchino Rossini

Suggested by Sergio in Topeka, Kansas

This piece is a hidden treasure that it is ignored by most orchestras.

Air date: February 21, 2023

Caprice No. 24, Nicolo Paganini

Suggested by Boyan in Sofia, Bulgaria

Hello from Bulgaria! I will be very happy if I hear this masterpiece played by Itzhak Perlman. Every time I listen to it I get goosebumps.

Air date: February 20, 2023

Pur Ti Miro, Claudio Monteverdi

Suggested by Marcia in Portland, Oregon

This leaves me absolutely breathless every time, particularly when I hear my favorite recording with Philippe Jaroussky.

Air date: February 17, 2023

Hebrides Overture, “Fingal’s Cave”, Felix Mendelssohn

Suggested by Charles in Portland, Oregon

I have always dreamed of visiting Scotland, due in no small part to the images evoked by Mendelssohn's "Scottish" Symphony and this, his musical portrait of the dramatic Fingal's Cave. Hopefully I'll get to see it myself someday!

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