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 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.

Air date: December 13, 2022

Song for Athene, John Tavener

Suggested by Kent in Beavercreek, Oregon

I first heard this piece when I was watching the funeral of Princess Diana. The Alleluia in the liturgy is typically ebullient, but Tavener's composition, a setting of the "In Paradisum," sending the soul forth to God, feels so sad in the beginning yet ends with a hopeful exclamation. I am deeply moved when I hear it, recalling the sadness of my own spouse's passing, yet being anchored in the hope expressed by the Song for Athene.

Air date: December 12, 2022

Ancient Airs and Dances: Suite No. 3, Ottorino Respighi

Suggested by Gregory in Portland, Oregon

[Gregory submitted this suggestion alongside his contribution on Giving Tuesday]

Air date: December 9, 2022

A Carol on Twelfth Night, William Bergsma

Suggested by Anne in Lynnwood, Washington

This is a fun holiday piece written by my father.

Air date: December 8, 2022

Violin Concerto in D: 1. Allegro Moderato, Jean Sibelius

Suggested by Henry in Newberg, Oregon

I am an eighth grader and I play the viola in my school orchestra. When I heard the first movement of this piece, I was immediately drawn in by how atmospheric and mysterious it sounded. It is like a good mystery - full of intrigue and emotion. The Sibelius concerto is one of the pieces that has definitely influenced my love of classical music. I hope this piece draws you in like it did the first time I listened to it!

Air date: December 7, 2022

Victory at Sea: The Song of the High Seas, Richard Rodgers

Suggested by Rose in Wilsonville, Oregon

This is for all the WWII veterans who are still with us. Both my parents served in the Navy in the Pacific Theater. My Mom was a Photographer's Mate in a unit that worked on decoding the Japanese Codes, and my Dad was a Air Craft Mechanic (Chief Petty Officer) on the USS Chandaliare, an air craft tender assigned to follow and support an assigned Air Craft carrier in the Pacific. Prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor and being assigned to the Pacific Theater, my Dad served on the East Coast protecting supply ships to Europe and hunting for German U-boats.

One of my parents' favorite pieces of music was the theme from documentary "Victory at Sea." My parents were, and are in my and my siblings' heart, Tom and Jackie Sahlman. My hope is that all living WWII Veterans and families of WWII Veterans would enjoy this music.

Air date: December 6, 2022

Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral”: II. Scene by the brook, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by David in Portland, Oregon

Air date: December 5, 2022

Festive Overture, Dmitri Shostakovich

Suggested by Marie in Portland, Oregon

The snow this weekend was so festive... but I'm not quite ready for festive holiday music yet. How about Shostakovich's Festive Overture instead?

Air date: December 2, 2022

Cosi fan Tutte: Soave Sia Il Vento (“May the Breezes Be Gentle”), W. A. Mozart

Suggested by Dennis in Portland, Oregon

In the late 1990's I directed a theater/stage production of a play by Terrance McNally entitled "Lips Together Teeth Apart". McNally was a huge opera fan, and in the stage directions for the play he suggested pieces to be played while the action of the play continued. This piece was his suggestion at the final scene; I still can picture my actors spread around the stage and holding their poses as this piece played to it's conclusion - and the audiences were spell bound by the beauty of this trio and the emotional impact of that piece of theater.

Air date: November 22, 2022

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

Suggested by Linda in Portland, Oregon

I'd like this to be played in honor and memory of longtime All Classical Portland listener and supporter Larry Monk, who passed away in October. He loved this piece.

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