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: July 6, 2022

Enigma Variations: Nimrod, Edward Elgar

Suggested by Melissa in Keizer, Oregon

I walked down the aisle in my wedding processional to this gorgeous music this May. I have always loved this piece, and it especially pulls at my heartstrings now that it is attached to such a meaningful memory.

Air date: July 5, 2022

Serenade No. 10 “Gran Partita”: Adagio, W. A. Mozart

Suggested by James in Portland, Oregon

This beautiful music would make for a sweet and relaxing close to the workday.

Air date: July 4, 2022

Root Beer Rag, Billy Joel

Suggested by Dave in McMinnville, Oregon

I have this CD ("Whiplash" by the O-Zone Percussion Group) and I thought this would be a great way to share the fun with others. The Ozone Percussion Group is/was a student group from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Air date: June 30, 2022

The Moldau, Bedrich Smetana

Suggested by Steve in Portland, Oregon

The music has a program, describing the course of the river Moldau through the countryside into Prague. This piece is generally well known and is often heard by itself. It is a gorgeous piece of music and, to Czechs, The Moldau is a near national anthem. But also, it is part of Ma Vlast (My Country) -- a cycle of six tone poems, There is a lot of magnificent music in the cycle that, I think, most people don't know -- but should!

Air date: June 29, 2022

In A Landscape, John Cage (arr. Aaron Larget-Caplan)

Suggested by Jane in State College, Pennsylvania

I heard Aaron play this on Thursdays @ Three - his arrangement is breathtaking! This work of Cage’s has long been a favorite of mine, but it assumed the deepest meaning when a few years ago I was facing serious surgery and needed to make in advance some arrangements for my Celebration of Life should it be necessary. Thankfully I am still here, but “In A Landscape” made it through the rigorous selection process as a song that would remind others of my life and give them comfort. And this version on guitar is my new favorite version. Stunning.

Air date: June 28, 2022

Samson et Delila: Mon coeur s’ouvre a ta voix (My heart opens itself to your voice), Camille Saint-Saens

Suggested by Todd in Clackamas, Oregon

The short story: This was my Grandmother's favorite classical piece!

The longer story: My mother is a retired opera singer who sang with Portland Opera and Seattle Opera before moving to New York and touring around the USA. When she would perform in the Pacific Northwest, she would try to sing this aria for my Grandmother.
When I was 36 and raising my family in Portland, I had the joy of getting Portland Opera season tickets with my Grandmother (then aged 90). For many years it was our "Regular Date" as I would chauffeur her and her friend to the opera, so they didn't have to drive.
My time with my Grandmother taught me how to truly appreciate grand opera and classical music, which is why I listen to All Classical daily, even when I am working overseas. (Keep up the good work!!)

Air date: June 27, 2022

Rivers of Light, Eriks Esenvalds

Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon

I first heard this one early morning on All Classical Portland. It was so beautiful that I just have to hear it again - and it would be great for driving home.

Air date: June 23, 2022

Piano Quartet No. 1: 3. Allegretto poco moderato, Bohuslav Martinu

Suggested by Amy in Portland, Oregon

While attending grad school in Los Angeles, I enjoyed the local classical radio station there. One of the shows on the station used this piece for its introduction and I loved tuning in to hear it. It always struck a chord of beauty and calm for me in a place that was so big and busy.

Air date: June 22, 2022

Phantom Thread: House of Woodcock, Jonny Greenwood

Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon

It's movie music, but I would definitely play it in the background if I was having a dinner party. Great movie starring Daniel Day Lewis... but Alma, the girlfriend character is bad news. The choreography is absolutely beautiful.

Air date: June 21, 2022

American Rhapsody, Kenneth Fuchs

Suggested by Dennis in Beaverton, Oregon

Over forty years ago when I was living in New York, I wrote and produced an off-off Broadway musical called "If Wishes Were Horses" with a music student at Julliard. He wrote the music, and I wrote the story and the lyrics. Every year since then I have marveled and applauded the talent of my musical friend, Kenneth Fuchs, as he slowly but surely became one of our country’s finest present day composers. I also thought that the calm feeling of peace that his American Rhapsody conveys would be the perfect thing for everyone to hear at the end of a hard workday on Five O’clock Favorites. It has become one of my favorites of Ken’s compositions.

Air date: June 20, 2022

Mass: A Simple Song, Leonard Bernstein

Suggested by Myrna in Portland, Oregon

My husband Steve died a year ago on June 20, 2021, eight days before our 52nd wedding anniversary. His musical interests were eclectic, but one of his favorites, which was sung at his memorial service, was Bernstein's "Simple Song." We first heard it sung by a wonderful bell-like soprano but love many versions. I would be so pleased -- and surely tearful -- if you would play it as the 5 O'Clock Favorite on Monday, June 20. Thank you for considering it.

Air date: April 16, 2022

Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, Claude Debussy

Suggested by Trinity in Portland, Oregon

This has been one of my favorite orchestral pieces since I discovered it for the first time when I was staying with friends in Los Angeles. We are all pianists and spent quite a bit of time sight reading this piece in its two piano version. We fell in love with the harmonies and listened to the orchestral version later that day. I have never heard it live, and would love to someday!

Air date: June 15, 2022

Intermezzo in A, Johannes Brahms

Suggested by Marie in Portland, Oregon

I can vividly remember the first time I heard this gorgeous piece of music. I was new to classical music, and just casually listening to it as background while I was running errands. When this came on the radio I felt like time had stopped, and I listened more deeply than I ever had before. I now listen to All Classical Portland every day and just love it.

Air date: June 14, 2022

I Know That My Redeemer Liveth, Heinrich Schutz

Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon

It's just so beautiful...

Air date: June 13, 2022

The Isle of the Dead, Sergei Rachmaninov

Suggested by Cyrus in Portland, Oregon

This piece came to me in an emotionally difficult time when I was feeling incredibly alone and in mourning. The gradual swell of this piece brought me out of a dark place, and reminded me that grief is a natural part of life and to embrace that fully. I look forward to someday sitting peacefully on the beach of my own Isle of the Dead, but for now I get to continue to connect emotionally with myself and the world through music.

Air date: June 10, 2022

Huapango, Jose Pablo Moncayo

Suggested by Justin in Portland, Oregon

I was first introduced to this piece while auditioning for my university's music program. It immediately felt like home, having grown up in a Spanish-speaking community (and being a percussionist). It took me back to all of the gatherings and celebrations I had with my father and and our Hispanic friends and family.

Air date: June 8, 2022

Piano Concerto No. 2: Movement 3, Johannes Brahms

Suggested by John in Portland, Oregon

I first heard this piece in the 1960s. As soon as the 3rd movement began to play -with its incredibly singing cello solo- I melted. Ever since, it has always had that effect on me. (More recently, I've seen a video performance with Yuja Wang performing with the Munich Orchestra. It was quite helpful SEEING the 3rd movement played, because I was actually able to see how it was performed, especially by the solo cellist, along with the rest of the lower strings.)

Air date: June 7, 2022

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

Suggested by Kathleen in Beaverton, Oregon

My late husband's favorite music was from Victory at Sea by Richard Rogers. The first movement, Song of the High Seas, evoked the swells, turmoil and vastness of the ocean. When I hear it, I see him standing on the rocks, mesmerized by the swells and fury of the Oregon coast during a tempest.

Air date: June 6, 2022

Ave Maria, Robert Parsons

Suggested by John in Portland, Oregon

This particular work describes the "Holiest of Heaven." I would love to hear it sung by the Choir of King's College Cambridge, however any choral ensemble who does it justice can also move me to Paradise... IT'S THAT BEAUTIFUL!!

Air date: June 3, 2022

Dr. Zhivago: Lara’s Theme, Maurice Jarre

Suggested by Andrea in Portland, Oregon

This movie (Dr Zhivago) is one of the greatest romance stories ever. The music is hauntingly beautiful and anyone who has seen the movie and then hears the music is instantly transported to the movie. How a simple instrument like the balilaka can create such mood and tenderness amazes me.

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