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 4, 2026

Two Waltzes in C, George Gershwin

Suggested by Dave in Federal Way, Washington

Despite the title, this is just one piece of music. Gershwin starts with one waltz, then transitions into the second, then overlays them. I've played this myself for decades, but I don't think I've *ever* heard it performed, either live or on the radio. Perhaps it's never even been recorded! If it has, I'd like to hear a professional's interpretation and, of course, to share this little-known piece with all the listeners.

Air date: March 3, 2026

German Requiem: How Lovely is Thy Dwelling Place, Johannes Brahms

Suggested by Marcia in Vancouver, Washington

February 12 would have been my mother’s 104th birthday. She passed away in 2006. My mother was passionate about classical music. She sang in church choirs and also sang professionally - choir soloist, at weddings, etc. it’s to her that I owe my own love of classical music.
My mom’s favorite composer was Brahms. In particular she loved to sing “How Lovely is thy Dwelling Place.” Would you play it in her honor?
Thank you, Mom, for passing on your love of music, as well as the many other gifts you gave me. I can still hear your voice.

Air date: March 2, 2026

Milonga del Angel, Astor Piazzolla

Suggested by Mike in Woodburn, Oregon

I played French Horn starting in the fourth grade and majored in Music and Sound Recording Technology in college. The horn has occupied a special place in my soul and I was brought to tears the first ten times I heard this piece played by Radek Baborak. He is the finest horn player I've ever heard. His tone and articulation set him apart from other greats. The horn part on this track is brief but he just makes the instrument sing like no other. I only wish I'd heard this early in my playing career so that I knew what was possible and could have tried to emulate it.

Air date: February 27, 2026

Hansel & Gretel: Evening Prayer, Engelbert Humperdinck

Suggested by Carrie in Portland, Oregon

When I was a little girl in the early 1960s, my parents were the ones who controlled our phonograph and all the music that we listened to at home. They had a phenomenal collection, but it was off limits to the kids. When I went next door to my best friend's house, however, she and I were allowed to play whatever records we liked on the record player in her basement. We discovered all sorts of wonderful music in her father's collection, and would play endless make-believe games at the same time. Our most impactful musical epiphany was the haunting lullaby from Hansel and Gretel, which we would listen to while we acted out the scariest part of the story. Those fourteen guardian angels were so magical and so real to me. For the entirety of my childhood I imagined those surrounding angels keeping me safe in my bed and protecting my sleep every night. I return instantly to my youngest self whenever I hear this gorgeous piece of music played.

Air date: February 26, 2026

The Planets: Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity, Gustav Holst

Suggested by Clari in Beaverton, Oregon

The first time I heard this piece, I was grumpy and tired. The upbeat pace of the music galloping along turned around my mood and made the rest of my commute a more pleasant experience. I still play this piece when I'm down in the dumps, and the jovial music lifts my spirit.

Air date: February 25, 2026

Fanfare for the Common Man, Aaron Copland

Suggested by Rae in Gaston, Oregon

This piece of music is dedicated to the fine folks in Minnesota. We see you, hear you, and we love you.

Air date: February 24, 2026

Weep No More, David Childs

Suggested by Svetlana in Portland, Oregon

I have been an avid listener and supporter off the station for many years now and for a while now wanted to share this emotional piece of music with other listeners. This is a chorus piece that is special to me because in 2002 when I moved to US, music was the only language I knew beside my native language. Even though it was sung in English the beauty and movement of the piece felt familiar. I was in North Carolina, Apex High School at the time (learning English and getting High School Diploma) and our choir director Mrs. Copley shared this music with us. We loved it and learned it well. Little did we know that this dramatic piece will bring us multiple first prizes. I want to share this piece with listeners and hope that you all will enjoy it. Thank you!

Air date: February 23, 2026

Gymnopédie No. 1 & Gershwin’s Prelude No. 2, Erik Satie & George Gershwin

Suggested by Sean in Portland, Oregon

In these tense times I’d like to dial the tension down by hearing two short pieces back-to-back. First is Satie’s Gymnopédie No. 1 for solo piano, a beautiful meditative piece. I love the anticipation of each note in the upper voice, which reminds me of my favorite piece of “big” Classical music, which is the slow movement of Beethoven’s Emperor concerto. The second piece I’d like to hear, another anti-Bruckner, is Gershwin’s Prelude No. 2. Again, I love the spaces between the notes.

Air date: February 5, 2026

Piano Sonata No. 8, “Pathetique”: 1. Grave – Allegro di molto e con brio, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Sheila in Portland, Oregon

I love this piece, it almost sounds like rock and roll!

Air date: February 4, 2026

Piano Concerto No. 3: Finale, Sergei Rachmaninov

Suggested by Patrick in Lincoln City, Oregon

I'm remembering that event- gosh, decades ago- when the soloist had hand cramps and last minute Oregon Symphony had to fly this other pianist extremely last minute. And his rush to get through airport and playing on the plane table in front of him- air playing the Rach 3! It had all the drama of a spy novel full of suspense and a whole city of concert goers on edge of their seats…. anyway, that was fun!
[Christa's note: In October 2004, Russian pianist Yakov Kasman substituted for Louis Lortie to perform Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Oregon Symphony. Kasman, a 1997 Van Cliburn silver medalist, took on the role with almost no rehearsal after Lortie cancelled due to a hand injury.]

Air date: February 3, 2026

Symphony No. 94, “Surprise”, Joseph Haydn

Suggested by Laura in Portland, Oregon

My parents used to have a record of Disney's "Make Mine Music" and "Melody Time." I don't remember all the music featured, but the Surprise Symphony stuck out because of of the story. What I remember is that Haydn was tired of the audience falling asleep during the performances, so he added the "surprise" in the second movement.

Air date: February 2, 2026

For Those We Remember, Calen Jennings

Suggested by Karl in Portland, Oregon

This is a song from a pianist who goes simply by the name 'calen.' After his cousin lost his battle with cancer, this was one of the first solo piano works he wrote and recorded. This piece was never meant to be released, however it symbolizes not an end but a new start. I think that is really beautiful.

Air date: January 23, 2026

Peter and the Wolf, Sergei Prokofiev

Suggested by Levi in Forest Grove, Oregon

My 8-year old son, Levi, is requesting Peter and the Wolf. He made a short video (attached) to explain what it means to him. The transcript is basically "Hi, I'm Levi and I like Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev because it brings back memories of old Christmas times when Papa used to turn on the record player and play it."

Air date: January 22, 2026

Symphony No. 8, “Symphony of a Thousand”: Finale, Gustav Mahler

Suggested by David in Portland, Oregon

This is one of my favorite pieces of all time and truly is Mahler’s most breathtaking work.

Air date: January 21, 2026

Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dances for Chorus and Orchestra, Alexander Borodin

Suggested by Gina in West Linn, Oregon

I just find the piece so beautiful! I never knew what it was called until I heard it one day on All Classical, and the information scrolling on my radio showed "Borodin, Alexander.." I was then able to look it up on YouTube and listen to it on repeat multiple times. I'm still not tired of it!

Air date: January 20, 2026

Huapango, Jose Pablo Moncayo

Suggested by Sophia in Portland, Oregon

I played this with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony on our Spain & Portugal tour. It's such a happy piece and brings back really fond memories.

Air date: January 19, 2026

Etudes No. 7 & 12, H. Leslie Adams

Suggested by Randall in Portland, Oregon

YEARS ago I remember hearing an episode of Thursdays @ Three which featured a local pianist playing music by a Black composer I had never heard of before: H. Leslie Adams. I loved how his style blends classical and jazz in a really beautiful way. I'd love to hear more of his music...

Air date: January 16, 2026

Fur Elise, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Marie in Tigard, Oregon

Christa, you ask about pieces that hold special memories for us. Well, for me, Fur Elise provides a huge wave of nostalgia. I remember sitting next to my mom (my first piano teacher!) on the piano bench as she helped me pick out the notes on the keyboard. Those moments together with her are such a precious memory... snuggled alongside each other on the bench, our hands intermingling on the keys, making art together. Fur Elise will always transport me back to my childhood.

Air date: January 15, 2026

Reflections in the Water, Claude Debussy

Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon

Debussy wrote this to musically depict light reflecting off of the water's surface. The piece creates an image of water being not quite still, then becoming rapid, then decreasing in motion again. The best pianists make this sound easy, even though you know it's not!

Air date: January 14, 2026

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

Suggested by Jim in Portland, Oregon

I was listening to a CD of this piece one day with my eyes closed, and when I heard the third movement I couldn't believe it was part of the same piece!

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