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.

Due to the interest in the program, it may be a week or two before you hear your selection on-air.

Recent Favorites

Air date: August 4, 2021

Experience, Ludovico Einaudi

Suggested by Kelly in Wilsonville, Oregon

The first time I heard this piece I was moved and tearful. I think it could be a soundtrack for all of us Portland area residents who have experienced so much together, unspoken, over the last year and a half. It's called "Experience" and it is, in my "experience," that the most unexpected pieces of music, like unexpected acts of kindness, can end-up freeing us.

Air date: August 3, 2021

Scheherazade: The Young Prince and the Young Princess, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Suggested by Randi in Portland, Oregon

Scheherazade was my dad’s favorite symphony. He introduced it to me before I was in kindergarten, and it has become my all-time favorite. It takes me away, out of my troubles and worries, whenever I hear it.

Air date: August 2, 2021

Moto Perpetuo, Nicolo Paganini

Suggested by Tom in Georgetown, Texas

Today is my wife's 80th birthday. She remains the love and joy of my life. We enjoy both classical music and jazz. One of her favorite artists, who we regard as the premier trumpet player of BOTH the classical and jazz repertoire, is Wynton Marsalis. Please play something by him of your choice as the Five O'Clock Favorite on her birthday. Thank you!

Air date: July 31, 2021

Symphony No. 9, “Choral”: IV. Finale “Ode to Joy”, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Nichole in Tigard, Oregon

"Ode to Joy" was played at my husband's and my wedding, and we recently celebrated our 12 year anniversary. I have always loved this music and would love to hear it again.

Air date: July 30, 2021

Rhapsody in Blue, George Gershwin

Suggested by Nancy in Newberg, Oregon

I'd love to hear Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" performed by Oscar Levant. I first heard this piece at age nine. It was the beginning of my thirst for classical music. This brings fond memories of my parents who generously tolerated my musical preferences amidst a family with other preferences.

Oscar Levant may have dropped out of favor from bits of information I've come across. However, I think his interpretation of Gershwin has contributed to later interpretations. Thank you for this delightful program and stories!

Air date: July 28, 2021

Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 35: Funeral March, Frederic Chopin

Suggested by Greg in Village Manor

Air date: July 27, 2021

Carmen: Habanera, Georges Bizet

Suggested by Alex in Silverton, Oregon

Quite a few years ago, when my daughters were in their early teens, we attended a concert of the Oregon Symphony at Willamette University in Salem. The theme of the concert was "women who made a difference." Among the works was a performance of the Habenera from Carmen. The vocalist, Michelle DeYoung, was resplendent in a beautiful red gown and gave a memorable rendition. It brought down the house. As a result this piece has always been a favorite of ours and when we hear it, we all think back to that wonderful evening.

Air date: July 26, 2021

With Quiet Courage, Larry Daehn

Suggested by Linda in Douglas, Oregon

I first heard this piece at a band concert on July 3rd. It was such a contrast to the usual band music that it really moved me.

Air date: July 23, 2021

Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, Ralph Vaughan Williams

Suggested by Suzi in Sandy, Oregon

When I first heard "Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis" many years ago, I was attending a concert with my husband. I was instantly swept up by the music, more than any other composition I've heard before. It's my #1 favorite!

Air date: July 22, 2021

Sure On This Shining Night, Morten Lauridsen

Suggested by Benno in Portland, Oregon

I have music in my veins and this music stirs me. The intermingling of the theme as it is given to each section of the chorus -and then sent to the heavens- brings me such peace. I have sung this piece all over the globe and have seen people's expressions mellow as they hear this gorgeous music.

Air date: July 21, 2021

Salley Gardens, Traditional Irish

Suggested by Brendan in Oregon City, Oregon

I first heard this on All Classical Portland during a morning commute on the Friday of a stressful week at work. This song broke through my racing thoughts, soothed my anxieties and brought peace to what had been a hectic week. Thank you for the music you provide... to some it's just music and to others it's medicine!

Air date: July 20, 2021

Alleluia, Randall Thompson

Suggested by Beth in Portland, Oregon

When I was a teenager in Southern California in the mid 1960's, I had the privilege of being in an all-district concert choir at Fullerton High School. We sang Randall Thompson's "Alleluia" and it was conducted by Randall Thompson. It was a real once in a lifetime experience!

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?

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