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 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!

Air date: February 16, 2023

Distant Land (choral version), John Rutter

Suggested by Paul in Milwaukie, Oregon

The orchestral version is nice but the choral version is so much more. Play it and see if you can keep a dry eye.

Air date: February 15, 2023

The Assassination of Jesse James By the Coward Robert Ford: Song for Bob, Nick Cave & Warren Ellis

Suggested by Andrew in Beaverton, Oregon

This song is from the movie the Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. I do not usually care much for westerns but I saw this movie in 2012 soon after my father passed away. My father was an brilliant man who struggled his whole life but taught me everything about business... lessons I used to build my own successful business. My Dad became ill with ALS in 2010 and had a long and difficult struggle as the disease slowly paralyzed him. It was heartbreaking watching him slowly slip away. When I hear this song I can’t help burst into tears thinking about him. Its a mournful and deeply painful song. It not only reminds me of him but of the struggles and pain we all face. Thank you for considering this as a 5:00 Favorite. And say hi to Edmund Stone - I love the Score (and everything else All Classical does!)

Air date: February 13, 2023

Music For A While, Henry Purcell

Suggested by Judy in Rainier, Oregon

Exquisite arrangement with lovely word painting that is heavenly to sing along with!

Air date: February 10, 2023

Asturias (No. 5 fr. Suite Espanola: Opus 47) (handbell ensemble), Isaac Albeniz

Suggested by Kirke in Albany, Oregon

I have been an English Handbell director/player for over 20 years and so have an interest in that instrument. I have created many arrangements of music by baroque, classical and romantic era composers for handbell ensembles myself.

Air date: February 9, 2023

Appalachia Waltz (solo cello version), Mark O'Connor

Suggested by Jorge in Portland, Oregon

I study cello with PSU professor Hamilton Cheifetz. I love this version of Mark O'Connor's Appalachia Waltz.

Air date: February 8, 2023

Schelomo, Hebraic Rhapsody for Cello & Orchestra: 3. Andante moderato, Ernest Bloch

Suggested by Lindsey in West Linn, Oregon

As a young musician in the Portland Youth Philharmonic, one of my close friends, Kira Wang, performed this piece as a cello soloist. Ever since having the privilege of partaking in such a beautiful piece of music, and doing it with a friend, I have loved the Schelomo (as well as having a certain love for Bloch that comes with the territory of being a violist!). This piece evokes happy memories of childhood, friendship, and wonderful music making.

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