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. 

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: April 16, 2021

“Good Night” & “Penny Lane”, John Lennon / Paul McCartney

Suggested by Sean in Portland, Oregon

These recordings by Les Boreades are wonderfully genre-bending. Recorders, viols, lutes, Baroque oboes - all the usual suspects in a Baroque ensemble - getting together to play the Beatles. I heard this music live in concert in Montreal about ten years ago and was so astonished that one of the musicians came up to me afterwards to comment on my visible reaction.

Air date: April 15, 2021

Elijah: He is Watching Over Israel, Felix Mendelssohn

Suggested by Jim in Vancouver, Washington

Shortly after WW II, I traveled through Germany. I had a train lay-over in nearly totally destroyed Aachen, I walked through the devastated city until I heard singing coming from a bombed-out church. I went inside what was left of the building and found it packed with people - all standing, no seating - with a choir in the sanctuary (what little was left of it), singing this piece, in German of course. It was very, very moving and I shall never forget this great anthem.

I stayed for the full concert, missed my train connection, and had to over-night in a youth-hostel, and that was quite an experience. Twenty three years later, I re-visited rebuilt Aachen, and found that church, now beautifully rebuilt, and inside I again heard in my head those magnificent sounds of 23 years before, in that place - never to be forgotten!

Air date: April 14, 2021

String Quartet No. 2: Nocturne, Alexander Borodin

Suggested by Donna in Aurora, Oregon

Borodin has been my favorite since I was younger, listening to my parents record of the Broadway musical "Kismet." (Although Jan Sibelius comes a very close second!) This music just makes me.... FEEL.

Air date: April 13, 2021

Lucia di Lammermoor: Il dolce suono (The sweet sound) – Lucia’s “mad scene”, Gaetano Donizetti

Suggested by Michelle in Portland, Oregon

This is featured in my favorite movie "The Fifth Element" with Bruce Willis. I find its appearance in the movie significant because great orchestral music is a big part of the film's character. It's not just for old fogies or music nerds!

Air date: April 12, 2021

Khovanshchina: Prelude (Dawn on the Moscow River), Modeste Mussorgsky

Suggested by Steve in Salem, Oregon

Air date: April 9, 2021

Toccata and Fugue in D minor, J.S. Bach

Suggested by Gretchen in Vernonia, Oregon

We need the power of this music!

Air date: April 8. 2021

Master and Commander: Far Side of the World – Los Manolos, Luigi Boccherini

Suggested by Doug in Portland, Oregon

"Master and Commander" uses this piece to end the movie, after Captain Jack Aubrey realizes he mistakenly left someone on board the captured French vessel that does not belong there, and the ship must put about for the chase. (As a side note, for the movie both Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany practiced playing their respective instruments; there are videos which include their own audio!)

Air date: April 7, 2021

Samson: Let the Bright Seraphim, G.F. Handel

Suggested by Doug in Portland, Oregon

When I first heard Kathleen Battle's performance of this piece it made my day. I immediately realized it would be perfect for the Five O'Clock Favorite. It's pure joy!

Air date: April 6, 2021

Good Night, Day, Johann Johannsson

Suggested by Michael in Portland, Oregon

This is a soothing contemporary piece by the late Johannsson, a talented composer who blurred lines between genres and deserves a wider audience. For those who have a traditional late afternoon “quitting time,” the title suggests the perfect farewell to the work day.

Air date: April 5, 2021

West Side Story: America, Leonard Bernstein

Suggested by Emma in Portland, Oregon

In this difficult year, life seems stressful. The first time I heard America I was mesmerized by Leonard Bernstein's music and the choreography by Jerome Robbins. Every time I hear this I feel lifted up and life gets a little easier.

Air date: April 2, 2021

Sleepsong, Rolf Lovland (arr. Desmond Earley)

Suggested by Cindy in Portland, Oregon

This incredibly beautiful piece is a great way to reduce your stress level. As you know, there's nothing like a little classical music to set your mind at ease.

Air date: April 1, 2021

What Women Want: “Everything About You”, Alan Silvestri

Suggested by Les in Oregon City, Oregon

This short piece of music was used in the credit roll from the movie "What Women Want," and it transports me to a calm and peaceful place. It is romantic, dynamic and expressive.

Give today: 888-899-5722

Five O’Clock Favorite