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, 2022

Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings: 2. Pastoral, Benjamin Britten

Suggested by Kurt in McMinnville, Oregon

I have been singing since I was in grade school, and also played trombone and baritone until I discovered the horn when I was 15. I immediately fell in love with the range of sonorities the horn afforded and I started studying privately. My wonderful horn teacher always carved out time during lessons for us to listen to different pieces of music, and when he played the Serenade for me I was in awe! The wonderful interplay between my two passions of singing and horn playing was electrifying! Hearing this piece always takes me back to the first time I heard it, and never ceases to bring me joy.

Air date: January 10, 2022

Sleepers, Awake, J.S. Bach

Suggested by Nate in Portland, Oregon

When I was much younger I read a science fiction novel of the same name. The plot involved a child on a long voyage through the stars who wakes up from hibernation some sixty years before his family. He practices the piano to pass the time and mentions this piece. I sought it out, listened to it, and the haunting melody has stuck with me ever since. (The novel is "Sleepers, Wake" by Paul Samuel Jacobs.)

Air date: January 7, 2022

The Village (2004): Noah’s Visit, The Gravel Road, The Vote, James Newton Howard

Suggested by Peter in Portland, Oregon

I commute to work with All Classical, and the station always comes on as soon as I turn my ignition! I'm very fond of films, and music! This music just has that oomph that tugs on your heartstrings. I will leave you with my favorite quote from the film (The Village), "The world moves for love. It kneels before it in awe."

Air date: January 6, 2022

L’Enfance du Christ: The Shepherds’ Farewell, Hector Berlioz

Suggested by Jasper in Atlanta, Georgia

It is a beautiful and moving classical piece for the season. I only discovered it recently and immediately fell in love with it.

Air date: January 5, 2022

Psalm and Fugue, Alan Hovhaness

Suggested by Neil in Forest Grove, Oregon

As a High School Senior, I was privileged to play violin in the 1966 All State Orchestra, conducted by Vilem Sokol. We played three excellent pieces; but one that stood out for me was Psalm and Fugue for String Orchestra by Alan Hohvaness. (Opus 40a.) This piece was my introduction to the singularly harmonious music of Alan Hovhaness.

I suggest this music as a Five O’Clock Favorite, because I think that your radio audience would enjoy hearing it... and for myself, I’ve not heard this music since that time, and listening to it would carry me back to that rewarding and memorable event in my life

Air date: January 4, 2022

Tis the Last Rose of Summer, Traditional

Suggested by Aileen in Oregon

I recently discovered this album ("Mark Twain's America") by pianist Jacqueline Schwab. It is absolutely wonderful, and I'd love to hear a selection!

Air date: January 3, 2022

Symphony No. 4: IV. The Heavenly Life, Gustav Mahler

Suggested by M. L. in Sherwood, Oregon

So-o-o many ears ago, when I was a university-aged and devoted solely to blues, reggae, jazz, and hard rock, a co-worker "introduced" me to classic music. (Actually, he was the senior architect in the office where I worked as an intern; we were obliged to listen to his music!)

At first, I tolerated his “patrician” preference for classical but gradually a few pieces caught my ear and I began to ask about them. He was happy to enlighten me. Before I realized it, I was on my way to being an intern classical music devotee as well! I began to unashamedly pursue classical music, with as much dedication as I did my other favorite musical genres!

A couple years later, during the Christmas season, I was looking through the classical section in a record store for a gift for that senior architect who was, by then, a fast friend. Mahler's 4th Symphony was on the store’s music system. At the time I was largely unfamiliar with Mahler and the final movement blew me away! Ever since, I’ve always associated the final movement of Mahler’s 4th Symphony with Christmastime! (The Symphony's orchestration also calls for sleigh bells!)

Air date: December 30, 2021

Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dances, 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 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: December 29, 2021

Palladio: 1. Allegretto, Karl Jenkins

Suggested by Susan in Beavercreek, Oregon

In the olden days one of the things we used to hear regularly in the Christmas season was the de Beers diamonds theme, the Ist Movement from the Jenkins Palladio. Jenkins based this wonderful, structural piece on the work of Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. Oh, arcades of arches, soaring columns, loggias in the sunlight! Even though what we now know about the diamonds market puts a bit of impossible tarnish on the de Beers slogan, Diamond Music still is forever. :)

Air date: December 28, 2021

Mille cherubini in coro, Franz Schubert

Suggested by Marcia in Portland, Oregon

This was how I first discovered and fell in love with Luciano Pavarotti's voice. It was on his classic Christmas CD "O Holy Night," recorded in Montreal in 1976. It has lost none of its charm for me, and every Christmas I fall in love all over again. May he rest in heavenly peace.

Air date: December 27, 2021

The Snow, Edward Elgar

Suggested by David in Portland, Oregon

Each year at this time I long to hear this choral piece by Edward Elgar and his wife, Alice, who wrote the lyrics. And each year I submit this as a suggestion for a 5 o'clock favorite. :) It seems particularly appropriate this year!

Air date: December 21, 2021

A Canadian Brass Christmas Carol, Traditional (medley)

Suggested by Jayne in Gleneden Beach, Oregon

Today is my 75th birthday, and I'd love to hear Christmas music — or should I say “Christa-mas” music — by the Canadian Brass!

Air date: December 20, 2021

Coventry Carol, Traditional (arr. Ola Gjeilo)

Suggested by Vicki in Hubbard, Oregon

I’ve heard so many different versions of this song and read about the (supposed) origin of it. I find the history of it fascinating (King Herod’s attempt to kill all infant boys following the birth of Jesus) and the fact that the composer is unknown. And the lyrics are strange. Not the typical Christmas carol. But I love the haunting melody and look forward to hearing it at this time of the year.

Air date: December 17, 2021

Kikujiro: River Side, Joe Hisaishi

Suggested by Ian in Portland, Oregon

I think his music is just so amazing at conveying emotions. Love, nostalgia, childlike wonder, heroic resolve, and many more, all come through so strongly for me.

And although he is most known for his work with Studio Ghibli, one of my favorite pieces of his is from a live action movie named Kikujiro, which I first saw long before I even knew about Studio Ghibli or even who had written it. I am a huge fan of the Ghibli movies and hearing songs from them on Thursdays @ Three and The Score has been a joy. I hope this brings everyone the carefree joys of a childhood summer well spent, even if just for a few short minutes.

(By the way, thanks for everything you all do over there, it makes my days light and my work easy!)

Air date: December 16, 2021

O Magnum Mysterium, Morten Lauridsen

Suggested by Jasper in Atlanta, Georgia

For me no other piece of music captures the sacredness of the birth of the Christ child than this piece. The animals kneel before the manager in adoration. I have sung this piece many times in choral settings and every time the beauty and haunting melody brings me to tears. It touches my soul like no other Christmas classical piece can.

Air date: December 15, 2020

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, Traditional

Suggested by JoAnn in Vancouver, Washington

This is my favorite song for the weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. In it, I hear a story of weariness and grief perfectly balanced with enduring optimism. Every time I hear it, I'm humbled to remember that season is, among other things, a celebration of the hope of freedom for an oppressed people.

Air date: December 14, 2021

Carmina Burana: In Trutina, Carl Orff

Suggested by Sue in Portland, Oregon

For several years, my husband and I attended the New Year’s Eve performance of Carmina Burana. Both the performers, and many in audience, were dressed in sparkly gem tones. A beautiful sight with wonderful music! I miss that annual event...

Air date: December 13, 2021

Suite from “The Victorian Kitchen Garden”, Paul Reade

Suggested by Maria in West Linn, Oregon

I recently had a small heart procedure, and hearing this would help me get back on my feet! This piece provided my first real appreciation of the clarinet. It was also the piece my clarinet-playing daughter chose for her first ever solo performance when she was in 6th grade.

Air date: December 10, 2021

A Thousand Years, Cristina Perri

Suggested by Jean in Portland, Oregon

This is beyond soothing! The YouTube video of this song demonstrates how much passion is being presented by both the Brooklyn Duo and the Dover Quartet. Together, they produce something that touches the soul, with an enormous respect for classical music.

Air date: December 9, 2021

Colonel Bogey March, Kenneth J. Alford

Suggested by Linda in Milwaukie, Oregon

Today, December 9, our cockatiel, Apollo, is celebrating his 16th birthday. His claim to fame is being able to whistle the Colonel Bogey March. When he hears it on the radio, he gets so happy, and whistles along. I'm hoping you will play it in honor of Apollo!

Our Sponsors

Meet our sponsors Become a sponsor

New Seasons Market

KQAC 89.9 Portland/Vancouver

KQOC 88.1 Newport/Lincoln City
KQHR 88.1 Hood River/The Dalles

KQHR 96.3 Columbia Gorge East
KQMI 88.9 Manzanita

KSLC 90.3 McMinnville
95.7 FM Corvallis/Flynn