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 19, 2021

Symphony No. 5: IV. Adagietto, Gustav Mahler

Suggested by John in Lake Oswego, Oregon

My wife Betty and I were married on July 19, 1958 and to honor her memory I would like to request this piece. Betty thought it was very romantic music... she would make that comment every time she heard it.

Air date: July 16, 2021

Danny Boy, Traditional Irish

Suggested by Fred in Portland, Oregon

This version from "Brassed Off" makes me tear up.

Air date: July 15, 2021

Finlandia, Jean Sibelius

Suggested by David in Portland, Oregon

I was 19 years old, living in Northern England on my own adventure, and I was so homesick for the Pacific Coast. I heard Finlandia and felt the music's humility and optimism. I lived in Northern England for 2 more years without being homesick again.

Air date: July 14, 2021

Solace, Scott Joplin

Suggested by Allan in Portland, Oregon

It's a great piece for this time of day. AND it is one of his pieces I can almost play!

Air date: July 13, 2021

Danse Macabre, Camille Saint-Saens

Suggested by Fletcher in Portland, Oregon

I'm autistic and have major noise sensitivities. I pretty much live in my giant headphones. Danse Macabre is one of those pieces I can listen to on repeat for hours, feeling it through every part of me, using it to keep calm in such a chaotic world of sensory overload.

Air date: July 12, 2021

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

Suggested by Sheila in Portland, Oregon

My father liked classical music but we only had one record in our home: Scheherazade. So I grew up with that and loved it. In my teens I diverted into rock and roll, but later I bought classical CDs that I had heard about (like Beethoven's 6th) in order to learn more about classical music. One of those CDs was a "Best of Beethoven" compilation, and this piano piece was on it. I loved the whole sonata but this movement was like rock and roll! Wow! So please play it for my long-ago teenaged years.

And BTW All Classical Portland has been my teacher since I moved here 8 years ago.

Air date: July 9, 2021

Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen

Suggested by Jenan in Salem, Oregon

Mom died July 9, 2020 of Covid and kidney disease. She loved Shrek and all things silly and wise. This was one of her favorite pieces and it would gladden my heart to hear it on the one year anniversary of her death.

Air date: July 8, 2021

Piano Sonata, K.331: Rondo Alla Turca (Turkish Rondo), W.A. Mozart

Suggested by Elizabeth in Portland, Oregon

This delightful little piece makes me dance around my living room. What more can you really ask for?

Air date: July 7, 2021

Sheep May Safely Graze, J.S. Bach

Suggested by Phil in Beaverton, Oregon

I'm blessed to owe my love of pipe organ music to my grandparents. They would take me and my two sisters to pipe organ concerts when I was in junior high.

My wife and I enjoy listening to All Classical Portland every night during dinner. Thank you!

Air date: July 6, 2021

Rustle of Spring, Christian Sinding

Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon

I started to play this with my piano teacher in the '70's and would really enjoy hearing it again. I would love to have you play it in honor of Mrs. VanWye. She taught me a lot.

Christa's note: After I announced this as today's 5:00 Favorite, I received an email from Richard in Argentina with this message:

"I just heard your announcement that Rustle of Spring will be today's 5 O'clock Favorite. That caused a huge jolt in my memory. My grandmother was one of those people who could play anything on the piano. On her piano stand, she had the sheet music for Rustle of Spring, and she would play it whenever she was in her "classical" mode. I probably last heard her play it about 50 years ago, and have never thought of the piece again. So, that is why your announcement was so exciting to me. I will be at the computer at 9 PM (that's Argentina time) to hear it again after so many decades!"

Air date: July 5, 2021

Well Hall, Anonymous (English)

Suggested by Christa's choice!

Dedicated to a dear friend who recently lost a beloved sibling.

Air date: June 29, 2021

Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Jane in State College, Pennsylvania

I adore this choral setting of Goethe’s poem. Beethoven’s grand romantic passion and love of the source material bursts forth! From the tension and fearfulness of the “calm sea” that, at the time, for a sailing ship meant stagnation (“Keine Luft von keiner Seite! Todesstille fütterlich!” - "No wind from either side! Deathly silence!") to the shouted joy as the winds rise, and the prosperous journey that is celebrated with the sighting of land. It is such a grand metaphor of the journey we’ve all been on these many months. Thanks for considering this suggestion... and thank you for the joy you bring!

Air date: June 28, 2021

Quintet “Musica notturna delle strade di Madrid,” Opus 30 No. 6, Luigi Boccherini

Suggested by Rod in Portland, Oregon

I first heard this when I was on the road to Sisters, OR. It was so beautiful I teared up and had to pull over! The notes are so pointed and the violin/cello so beautiful in accompaniment. Just pure joy!

Air date: June 25, 2021

Liebestraum No. 3, Franz Liszt

Suggested by Francis in Portland, Oregon

This piece is very special to me, and it is my mom's favorite piece by Liszt. It would be a great thing indeed if you could put this on for Five o'Clock Favorite.

Air date: June 24, 2021

Concerto for Flute & Harp: II. Andantino, W.A. Mozart

Suggested by Elsie in North Plains, Oregon

I've always loved pieces like this which soothe the soul. Harp and Flute both have such a gentle sound; one that can lift you into peacefulness for a few moments. I hope this provides comfort and peace to all.

All Classical is on all day in our home, playing also in our vehicles, and we wish to thank you for what you continue to provide after all these years. You are all a blessing, your voices calming and so enjoyable, just like the music.

Air date: June 23, 2021

Ashes; Howl’s Moving Castle: Merry Go Round, Hilary Hahn & Hauschka / Joe Hisaishi

Suggested by Eric in Portland, Oregon

These are some of my favorite pieces ... they are both just so beautiful.

Air date: June 22, 2021

Carmina Burana: O Fortuna, Carl Orff

Suggested by Charles in Vancouver, Washington

This is a really exciting piece that always wants to make me get up and move. I am graduating middle school this week and I think this piece is a great anthem for all graduates this year!

Air date: June 21, 2021

The Dance of the Sacred Rivers, Gheorghe Zamfir

Suggested by Bob in Mount Angel, Oregon

Air date: June 18, 2021

Ave Maria, Franz Biebl

Suggested by Cameron in Woodburn, Oregon

The first time I heard this piece (performed by Chanticleer), I was blown away by the beautiful unified tone of this choir, but also by Biebl's excellent musical composition. He melds the plainchant segments seamlessly with the polyphonic elements to create one of the most impressive choral works I have ever heard. Enjoy this masterpiece!

Air date: June 17, 2021

Strange Meadowlark, Dave Brubeck

Suggested by Roddy in Portland, Oregon

I grew up in a remote area served by a very small country western radio station that went off the air at 9:00pm. In my teens, the station added an extra hour which allowed the host to introduce new music, typically jazz or classical. Sixty-five years later, I still love Brubeck and Dvořák. I’d appreciate hearing anything by either of those composers.

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