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: January 24, 2023

Guys and Dolls, Frank Loesser

Suggested by Sandi in Portland, Oregon

My good, sweet, kind friend, Randy Hunt, passed away a while ago. I spoke with his partner and she told me this song was his favorite piece of music. Randy was a lyricist. I miss him and wanted to honor him by having All Classical Portland play this catchy tune in his memory.

Air date: January 23, 2023

Music For The Royal Fireworks, George Frideric Handel

Suggested by Loren in Beaverton, Oregon

I love the opening overture! I first played it on trombone in 5th grade. It has always held a special place in my musical repertoire. Between the trumpet trills and the kettle drum rolls, it just sounds awesome and grand!

Air date: January 20, 2023

Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, Richard Rodgers

Suggested by Roz in Fairview, Oregon

Recently you played Rhapsody in Blue as a 5:00 Favorite, and it jogged a favorite memory of mine from the 1950's. Back then there were 3 contemporary pieces that garnered lots of attention. Two by Gershwin: American in Paris and the Rhapsody in Blue. But right up there was Richard Rogers' Slaughter on 10th Avenue, ballet music written as part of the score for the Broadway show "On Your Toes". I first heard this piece when Mom and Dad brought home two or 3 of those new 33 1/3 LP records! Their record collection had been 78's up to this point. So when we got a new phonograph player and some new recordings, I really sat up and paid attention. I fell in love with this piece. When Gene Kelly and Vera Ellen made a movie that included the ballet, that sealed the deal! It would be wonderful to fill the air waves with these great sounds.

Air date: January 19, 2023

Song From A Secret Garden, Secret Garden (Irish violinist and singer Fionnuala Sherry and Norwegian composer, arranger and pianist Rolf Løvland)

Suggested by Mary in Wilsonville, Oregon

My aerobics instructor once played this music as a cool down. And I've come back to it a lot ever since. Not only does it bring me a sense of peace, but it also triggers sadness for friends I've lost, and also gratitude for my life. I hope this music will affect others in the same way.

Air date: January 18, 2023

Come Sweet Death, J.S. Bach

Suggested by Paul in Albany, Oregon

When I was in high school in a small Kansas town I got interested in organ. My folks found a teacher and I was allowed to practice at one of the local churches (on a quite small organ-but it did have full pedal board). My teacher took me to a Virgil Fox concert and for the first time I saw and heard a large organ in person. He played his arrangement/transcription of Come Sweet Death and I was mesmerized. I had never heard anything so beautiful.

Air date: January 17, 2023

Gramphone Waltz, Eugen Doga

Suggested by Kristina in Vancouver, Washington

When I listen to this, I think of snowflakes dancing, and calling me to dance with them. It’s like a winter fairytale. I think more people need to hear this wonderful piece!

Air date: January 16, 2023

Moments; Where Worlds Collide; Flow and Begin Again, Alexis Ffrench

Suggested by Edward in Denver, Colorado

In honor of MLK Jr Day, I'd like to hear music by this contemporary Black composer. You choose the selection!

Air date: January 13, 2022

Carmina Burana: O Fortuna, Carl Orff

Suggested by Ally in Tigard, Oregon

Very invigorating!! I feel like I can take on anything after listening to this piece. I'm very excited to go to the Oregon Symphony concert featuring Carmina Burana at the end of February!

Air date: January 12, 2023

Serenata, Op. 57 No. 2, Giuseppe Martucci

Suggested by Ellar in Portland, Oregon

I first heard this on All Classical sometime at the height of the pandemic, when everything in the world just felt utterly overwhelming. As is likely true of all my favorite music, it simultaneously made me want to cry and yet somehow filled me with resolve and hope. I think emotions around the turning of a new year are often a little bit like that, too, and it feels like a fitting piece to hear again.

Air date: January 11, 2023

Suite in D for Viola de Gamba, Strings and Basso Continuo, Georg Philipp Telemann

Suggested by Robert in Vancouver, Washington

Not very long after I started regularly listening to this station I noticed there were a significant number of pieces where I thought, "Wow, that was amazing!" to be followed by you or Warren or Brandi saying "That was Telemann..." I had never even heard his name before. About that same time I purchased a turntable and loved finding used classical records at some local shops in Vancouver. I stumbled upon Telemann's Suite in D for Viola de Gamba, and I've probably listened to it 50 times. I feel like I know every note but still find something new or more pronounced every time I hear it. I loved the end of the year countdown but was a little surprised Telemann didn't have a single piece in the top 100. Will you please give Telemann an honorable mention and play his Suite in D for everyone?

Air date: January 10, 2023

Three Fantasies: 1. This Is The Way An Eagle Feels, William Bergsma

Suggested by Anne in Portland, Oregon

January 10th is an obscure holiday called National Save the Eagles Day. William Bergsma wrote a piece for solo piano called "This is the Way an Eagle Feels." Could you play it that day?

Air date: January 9, 2023

Piano Sonata No. 14 “Moonlight” in C sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Miriam in the UK and Janet in Corvallis, Oregon

From Miriam:
My grandmother introduced me to classical music with this piece and I just fell in love. It reminds me of her whenever I listen to it. I don't get to see her often as she lives in Oregon while I live in the United Kingdom but music always makes the distance feel closer.

From Janet:
This is a piece Miriam (my granddaughter) and I have listened to together. She says it was her introduction to classical music and I'm glad to be able to listen and share that with her. She was here with me for the holidays and we will always share a love of music.

Air date: January 6, 2023

Rhapsody in Blue, George Gershwin

Suggested by Isaac in Portland, Oregon

Ever since hearing this piece at a concert in high school, as a young musician, I've been in love with it. Such music, power & majesty. It's beautiful! I love it!!

Air date: December 27, 2022

Sakura (Cherry Blossom), Traditional Japanese

Suggested by Andrea in Portland, Oregon

Some months ago, Sakura was played on All Classical Portland. It was so incredibly beautiful, I stopped my busyness and took a deep breath and listened. As hectic as we all are this time of year, it would be good to take that deep breath and listen and find a moment to enjoy the season.

Air date: December 26, 2022

Transcendental Etude No. 3 in F: Paysage (Landscape), Franz Liszt

Suggested by Shirley in Portland, Oregon

This is beautiful, and Kirill Gerstein is fantastico!

Air date: December 21, 2022

Shepherd’s Pipe Carol; Candelight Carol, John Rutter

Suggested by Jasper in Atlanta, Georgia & Katharine in Portland, Oregon

Jasper suggested the "Shepherd's Pipe Carol" and said:
I sang with a choral group and one of my favorite composers is John Rutter. We performed several of his Christmas works over the years but I had not heard this particular selection until recently and sounds almost like a modern spiritual. Loving it!

Katharine suggested "Candlelight Carol" and said:
I heard it without words for the first time on a holiday music CD, years ago, loved it, and thought that it must have lyrics, so I did some research, found the words, ordered the sheet music, and taught it to my choir. We sang it the following Christmas. So lovely!

Air date: December 20, 2022

Joseph and the Angel, Hafliði Hallgrímsson

Suggested by Lance in Hillsboro, Oregon

This is one of the most beautiful Christmastime choral works. It offers a unique perspective and soothing harmonies during an otherwise chaotic season.

Air date: December 19, 2022

Fantasia on Christmas Carols, Ralph Vaughan Williams

Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon

I had fun listening to this back in July when I was needlepointing a Nativity Scene stocking for my oldest sister, Bonnie. It really set the mood!

Air date: December 15, 2022

Suite for Flute & Jazz Piano Trio: V. Irlandaise, Claude Bolling

Suggested by Jeff in Portland, Oregon

As a young man listening to this piece, I was thrilled with the trills and arpeggios coming through the headphones connected to a WalkMan while riding a bus to work and back in 1983. I do not miss the bus rides. Nor, in fact, do I miss the workplace of that time. I DO, however, still love the music. Anything, any single at all from that collection, would be a perfect Five O'Clock Favorite. Thank you!

Air date: December 14, 2022

L’enfance du Christ: Shepherd’s Farewell, Hector Berlioz

Suggested by Lindsay in Portland, Oregon

This entire oratorio is a departure from the bombastic music that defines Berlioz. I can't think of a more peaceful way to herald in another holiday season here in Portland.

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