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: June 3, 2021

Fanfare for the Common Man, Aaron Copland

Suggested by Emma in Portland, Oregon

I am in middle school. When I was younger, I was listening to All Classical, when suddenly I heard a big BOOM come from the timpani. I was frozen in my chair, mesmerized by the powerful piece. When it was over I learned that the piece was written by an American composer named Aaron Copland. I still get that feeling when listen to Fanfare for The Common Man. This piece started my love of the composer. (My dad also likes classical music, but he never appreciated Aaron Copland. He says since I came along he's learned to love the famous composer.)

Air date: June 2, 2021

Cello Suite No. 1: Prelude, J.S. Bach

Suggested by Trisha in Wilsonville, Oregon

This piece speaks to me -- it tells me not to give up, it says that life is beautiful; it cries to me, telling me not to be afraid, saying that fear only makes things worse. It reassures me of my hopes and dreams, and bids me to believe in myself. Listen, and let it fill you with peace and joy.

Air date: June 1, 2021

Warsaw Concerto, Richard Addinsell

Suggested by Lance in Portland, Oregon

My Dad influenced my love of Classical Music,. He used to stack his 33 rpm records, and on the weekends when we would be doing school work his records played in the background. He absolutely loved this piece of music

The Warsaw Concerto was written for the British film, Dangerous Moonlight, which is about the Polish struggle against the 1939 invasion by Nazi Germany. Even though it was written for a film, it's a beautiful concert piece!

Air date: May 31, 2021

Shenandoah, Traditional American

Suggested by Anne in Woodburn, Oregon

This beautiful song is perfect after a stressful or rough day.

Air date: May 28, 2021

Clarinet Concerto in A: II. Adagio, W.A. Mozart

Suggested by Nancy in Newberg, Oregon

As a child I received an accordion and was fortunate to study classical accordion over the years. There is much to enjoy about this instrument. It may be an under-appreciated instrument most often associated with polkas and waltzes, however the music of Mozart, Bach, or Chopin is provided a distinctive resonant quality when preformed by a virtuoso accordionist. Thank you for playing this... my spirit is lightened and rejuvenated!

Air date: May 27, 2021

Lohdutus (Consolation), Erkki Melartin

Suggested by Andrew in Tualatin, Oregon

Outside of Finland, Melartin is often forgotten in discussions of the Nordic nationalist giants. This is a shame, as his music is as romantic as the best of his contemporaries.

Air date: May 26, 2021

The Spitfire Grill: The Care of the Spitfire Grill, James Horner

Suggested by Mark in Salem, Oregon

I have devoted the last 44 years of my life to prison ministry. Seeing broken lives restored is so important to me. Several years ago, I was introduced to a film called "The Spitfire Grill," which tells the story of a young woman who is trying to build a new life after serving a prison sentence in Maine -- and it is a painful uphill battle for her.

James Horner composed the score for this film, and the music is so melancholic, and at the same time very peaceful. I find it so soothing. I offer this selection, hoping that it will comfort people with hurting hearts. I also offer it as a "thank you" to Edmund Stone, who has taught me so much about movie music over the past 15 years of "The Score." Thank you to everyone at All Classical for being such a blessing!

Air date: May 25, 2021

Ombra di Nube (Shadow of a Cloud), Licinio Refice

Suggested by Larry in Portland, Oregon

This is a rarely performed work by 20th century Italian composer Licinio Refice, who was a Catholic priest. It is beautiful and haunting.

Air date: May 24, 2021

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring – Concerning Hobbits, Howard Shore

Suggested by Dalia-May in Oregon City, Oregon

I keep telling myself that one day I will learn this on the piano. Until that day, I will gladly listen to the recording over and over, again and again.

Air date: May 21, 2021

Piano Concerto No. 3: 1. Allegro ma non tanto, Sergei Rachmaninov

Suggested by Joe in Beaverton, Oregon

I've developed a deep appreciation for Rachmaninoff's iconically difficult concerto. It has so many deep layers beneath the simple melodies!

Air date: May 20, 2021

The Creation: Awake the Harp, Joseph Haydn

Suggested by Paula in Gresham, Oregon

I first heard this magnificent mass in a cathedral in Manhattan. It blew my mind then and still does; it is the sort of beautiful, encompassing music we all need.

Air date: May 19, 2021

The Lark Ascending, Ralph Vaughan Williams

Suggested by Haw-nah in Portland, Oregon

This piece has a beautiful, floating melody that depicts the lark in its rise to the sky. It is a contemplative piece that to me represents a kind of melancholy feeling for that which has passed. In the way the lark flies away from the viewer, the memories of the past fade with the music and bring the listener back to the present moment.

Air date: May 18, 2021

String Quartet No. 2: Nocturne, Alexander Borodin

Suggested by Diane in Newport, Oregon

A few years ago when I was listening to this and -knowing that Alexander Borodin wrote it for his wife- I thought, "He really loved his wife!" Then -for the first time in my life- I heard the audible voice of God, and He said, "I love you so much more." I listen to this piece often as it always makes me feel the love of God.

Air date: May 17, 2021

O Magnum Mysterium, Morten Lauridsen

Suggested by Gordon in Vancouver, Washington

This piece is so beautiful and calming. It brings peace and joy every time I hear it. It makes me recall the time when I was playing some pieces of beautiful music with my daughter and her then 7-month old son. When this piece came on the child stopped, frozen, listening to the beautiful music. My daughter’s comment was that I had found the "off button" for her child.

Air date: May 12, 2021

Du bist die Ruh (You are repose), Franz Schubert

Suggested by Tom in Auburn, Alabama (but visiting my sister near West Linn for the next two weeks)

This is a calm, relaxing piece of music that might help settle some agitated 5 PM commuters....

Air date: May 11, 2021

Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral”: 2. Scene by the Brook, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Andrea in Portland Oregon

I love this entire symphony - it always lifts my spirit. It is subtle joy, exuberant joy, storms, the warmth of the sun, other beings stirring in the change.

Air date: May 10, 2021

Requiem: Pie Jesu, John Rutter

Suggested by Susie in Portland. Oregon

I sang this Requiem with my High School choir and I loved it so much I bought the score, which was an unpopular way to spend money for a high school kid! Throughout my college and young adult years it has brought me joy and comfort as I listen, play, and sing along to this soulful composition.

Air date: May 7, 2021

Piano Quintet “Trout”: IV. Theme and Variations, Franz Schubert

Suggested by Eleanor in Portland

Over the years when travelling from Portland to visit family in North Dakota, we always drove via Lewiston/Clarkston on Hwy #12 along the Lochsa & Clearwater rivers in Idaho. The scenery is beautiful and it is along part of the route taken by Lewis & Clark when they traveled to the Pacific. This music flows - just as the rivers do - sometimes smoothly and other times more roughly. The beauty of this region is quite breath-taking and we always have cherished the memory of it. We often stopped at sites designated as Lewis & Clark stopping places along the way, too! Such great memories!

Air date: May 6, 2021

Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage, Felix Mendelssohn

Suggested by Mae in Beaverton, Oregon

I just think this is one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever heard. The first time I heard it on All Classical, it brought me to tears. It's just so sweeping, BIG, uplifting, inspiring!!

Air date: May 5, 2021

Simple Song No. 3, David Lang

Suggested by Rosemary in Oregon

I've never listened to this piece without tears in my eyes. It is the closing music to an incredible movie called "Youth". I saw this movie in St Petersburg, Russia and as I walked out of the theater wiping my eyes, the young Russian woman next to me was doing the same and we laughed and hugged. It was a beautiful, unforgettable moment.

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