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: 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!

Air date: December 8, 2021

Piano Concerto No. 5 “Emperor”: I. Allegro, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Ralph in Salem, Oregon

It's one of my favorite pieces!

Air date: December 7, 2021

Messe Solennelle (St. Cecilia Mass): Sanctus, Charles Gounod

Suggested by Scarlet in Portland, Oregon

In my 55 years, I have never tired of this piece.

Air date: December 6, 2021

Villanelle, Eva Dell'Acqua

Suggested by Wira in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

I have been listening to All Classical Portland's online stream, enjoying the beautiful music from Sydney, Australia. It has been giving me so much pleasure in these challenging times. I hope this song will boost everyone's morale.

Air date: December 3, 2021

Symphony No. 1 “Lord of the Rings” – V. Hobbits, Johan de Meij

Suggested by Derek in Portland, Oregon

I had no idea that a person named Johan de Meij even existed before my band teacher recommended this piece. I love it because it has a catchy tune, great composition, and dynamic changes and drive.

Air date: December 2, 2021

Die Walkure: Wotan’s Farewell & Magic Fire Music, Richard Wagner

Suggested by Peter in McMinnville, Oregon

This selection is connected for me with a momentous (and somber) historical event and my experience of it.

It was late November 1963, and I was a college student spending my junior year abroad in Vienna. Being an avid fan of opera, very much including the works of Richard Wagner, I went to performances of the Vienna State Opera whenever I could. On this particular night, I was at a performance of Die Walküre. In the final scene of the (long) opera, as a punishment for disobeying his command, Wotan puts his beloved daughter, the Valkyrie Brünnhilde, into a deep sleep and places her on a mossy bank. He summons Loge, the god of fire, pointing his spear toward a large rock. He strikes the rock three times with his spear, and flames spring from the rock, fire gradually spreading around the bank with the sleeping Brünnhilde. Wotan proclaims that no one who fears the point of his spear shall ever pass through the fire. As the familiar Magic Fire Music plays, Wotan takes one fond last look at the sleeping Valkyrie and disappears into the fire as the music continues to its conclusion, ending the opera.

On this night, as the last note of the Magic Fire Music ended, before there was any chance for applause, a suited official stepped quickly from behind the curtain and motioned for silence. "It is with great sadness that I must inform you," he said (or words to that effect), "that John F. Kennedy, President of the United States, is dead."
In shock, the audience dispersed in silence. Outside the theatre, the newsboys selling any of Vienna's three newspapers were swamped. I bought a copy of one of the papers and in a new shock--and now disbelief--read the headline: "Kennedy Dead. Fell victim of an assassination." Assassination?!!!

I hurried home to my "digs" and tuned my radio to the Voice of America, which of course was covering nothing else. I didn't know any other Americans in Vienna, but I sure wished I did right then. The closest I came was to go to the American embassy, where I arrived around midnight and signed a condolence book, behind which stood a U.S. marine in full-dress uniform.

Air date: December 1, 2021

Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis, Ralph Vaughan Williams

Suggested by Anneliese in Hunstville, Alabama

In my favorite novel, Firebird by Kathy Tyers. there is a city was called Tallis, named for the composer. That's how I first discovered this piece. Later, I and my co-author, Galadriel Coffeen, listened to this music while writing our debut novel, Jubilant... and we listened so often it became associated with the female lead character, Kelta. Our book was published today, and we think it would be fantastic to have this piece played to celebrate its inspiring power. I’m really excited to share this musical part of our creative process, especially since I’ve been listening to AllClassical for almost 20 years…

Air date: November 30, 2021

Clair de Lune, Claude Debussy

Suggested by Nate in Portland, Oregon

If ever there was a piece of music that can evoke so many images at once it has to be this. I’ve loved this music all my life and since I work nights the moonlight has been my sunlight.

Air date: November 29, 2021

The Armed Man (A Mass for Peace): Benedictus, Karl Jenkins

Suggested by Larry in Oak Grove, and Sandi in Portland

Larry says: Though much of the music by the Croatian duo 2cellos doesn't fit with your format (see them do AC/DC's "Highway to Hell" or Jimi Hendrix... they do things with the cello which may be downright unnatural!) their interpretation of the Benedictus by Karl Jenkins is soaring and will uplift you. It lifts me so far above the mundane you wonder how it could ever have been written. It may make you cry or at least tear up. In about 7 minutes the closest to heaven you can get while seated in your recliner.

Sandi says: I have taken up the cello again after a 30 year break and after looking up music to begin my journey once more, discovered this ethereal piece played by 2 amazing men. It has fueled my passion for the cello all over again!

Air date: November 22, 2021

Distant Land, John Rutter

Suggested by Kevin in Salem, Oregon

I find this piece unbelievably moving; the brass choir brings me to tears.

A little while back one of my family members asked where my interest in classical music came from, as it is a bit of a departure from the family's personality. My eighth-grade music teacher let me borrow over the summer the new music textbook and set of records that would be used the next school year. That summer I discovered the length and breadth of classical music. Then, through my adult years, a dear friend introduced me to lesser-known and contemporary composers and their works. One of these was John Rutter, whose music I heard in concert once or twice. All Classical Portland has greatly contributed to my habit of exploration, and I am very grateful…

Air date: November 19, 2021

Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Harold Arlen

Suggested by Keith in Ridgefield, Washington

My mother Ella Maxine passed away at the age of 91 on Veteran's day two years ago, and her namesake grand daughter Ella Grace was born one month later on December 13th. They never met, but we hope and pray they one day will, "somewhere over the rainbow."

Air date: November 18, 2021

Piano Concerto in A minor: II. Romanza, Ignace Jan Paderewski

Suggested by Maryla in Tigard, Oregon

I just finished reading the book “Paderewski in California” by Marek Zebrowski. In it, I learned that Paderewski was not only a great pianist and composer, but he was also a politician and a diplomat. During World War I he urged President Woodrow Wilson to support the cause of Polish independence. After he literally put Poland on the map, he actually became the new nation's Prime Minister and foreign minister during which time he signed the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I.

Paderewski was respected by leaders throughout the world. On the 10th anniversary of Polish independence in 1928, Paderewski received messages from four U.S. presidents, Coolidge, Taft, Hoover, and Roosevelt acknowledging his work as a statesman. On one of his concert tours, when he arrived in Brussels, the King and Queen personally went to the station to greet him!

The second movement of Paderewski's Piano Concerto in A minor Op.17 is magnificent, beyond words! I love to listen to it when I'm painting.

Air date: November 17, 2021

Cello Concerto No. 6: II. Andante Cantible, Luigi Boccherini (arr. Cassado)

Suggested by Jeff in Portland, Oregon

Nothing makes me feel cozy in the dark and rainy months like Segovia's guitar pieces. My 3 year old daughter and I always listen for the 5 o'clock favorite on the way home from daycare, so I thought it would be fun to suggest one of our favorite songs for consideration.

Air date: November 16, 2021

Suite in E minor, BWV 996, J.S. Bach

Suggested by Pam in Portland, Oregon

My dad played the fifth movement of this Suite - the Bourree- on the piano while I was growing up. It always reminds me of him. I don't play piano but learned how to play the first part by heart. My dad died of Covid in January and I'm grateful to have memories of him playing this piece.

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