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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: January 8, 2026

The Pearl Fishers: Au fond du temple saint, Georges Bizet

Suggested by Dave in Federal Way, Washington

One of the ongoing debates among opera lovers is "What is the best duet of all time?" I imagine most would say "The Flower Duet" from Lakmé, but my absolute favorite duet is "Au fond du temple saint" from Bizet's The Pearl Fishers. I first heard it when I was living in the Chicago area and fell in love with it right away! It didn't hurt that the recording featured Sherrill Milnes, with whom I share an original hometown (Downers Grove, IL).
I'd particularly like to hear the recording with Sherrill Milnes (for reasons already stated) and Placido Domingo, my all-time favorite tenor.

Air date: January 7, 2026

Symphony No. 5: II. Allegro marcato, Sergei Prokofiev

Suggested by Mike in Portland, Oregon

There are these pieces that are just 'over the top', that carry us away to another place, stop us in our tracks from whatever we're doing and command our full attention. They make us wonder "How in the heck did this composer come up with that amazing idea?" This movement from Prokofiev is right up there for me, along with other "over the top" moments, like the final movement of Saint-Saens' Symphony #3 (the "Organ" symphony), or Respighi's the "Pines of Rome", or most all of Beethoven's 7th symphony. Christa, I know this isn't your usual "relaxing" type of Five O'clock Fav, but every once in a while, we need to kick start the blood flow!

Air date: January 6, 2026

The Star and the Wise Men, Charles Gabriel

Suggested by Margo in Portland, Oregon

Growing up we were part of a small Mennonite Community in North Dakota and at that time Mennonites did not use musical instruments, so we sang. Everyone in my family and in my church loved to sing, all in beautiful four part harmony. Our favorite song, made popular for us by the Mennonite Hour Choir, was called From Land of the East We Have Traveled Afar. It's not easy to find a recording of it by the Mennonite Hour Choir, but this one is just lovely, and I and all your listeners will enjoy it, I'm sure.

Air date: January 5, 2026

Razumovsky Quartet in C, Opus 59, No. 3: IV. Allegro molto, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by John in Portland, Oregon

This music conjures a vivid memory of an episode of the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson during which his first guest was Portland-native Robert Mann, first violinist of the Juilliard String Quartet! And not just Mann,... but also the rest of the Quartet. But it's Mann who sits next to Johnny, engaging in conversation with the legendary talk-show host.

After a few minutes of back-and-forth, it's time for a commercial. Before going to the break, Johnny asks Mann what the Quartet is going to play afterward. His unhesitating reply - “The final movement of Beethoven's 3rd Razumofski string quartet.”

Back after the commercial, all attention is now on the Quartet, in place onstage. They deliver a high-energy performance – with a take-no-prisoners tempo. At the final chord – the audience, as one person, leaps to their feet, shouting, cheering and applauding the Juilliard's exciting performance!

Air date: December 26, 2025

Russian Easter Festival Overture, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

Suggested by Hugh in Brush Prairie, Washington

When I was young, my father played a record with the 1812 Overture. It was one of the pieces that got me into classical music. But when I finally heard it live I couldn’t understand why it was so short. It wasn’t until later I discovered there were two musical pieces on that record. The second was Russian Easter Festival Overture. I had mistaken it as part of the 1812 Overture. My father had a good laugh when I told him years later. Now my father has given me that record and I remember my funny mistake. Also remembering how good this music is, I would like to share this music so others can enjoy it as well.

Air date: December 18, 2025

Elohai, N’tzor, Danny Maseng

Suggested by Jeanie in Portland, Oregon

This is such an incredibly beautiful piece of music. Pink Martini's vocals & harmony gives me goosebumps. The words translated into English are so very soothing & important to the peace of our souls. I would be so grateful if you would play it during this season.

Air date: December 17, 2025

Slava vo visnjim Bogu (Serbian carol: Glory to God in the Highest), Tamara Petijevic

Suggested by Thaddeus in Portland, Oregon

I live here in Portland we are from Serbia. Many Balkan people live here in Portland, always listening to this radio station. On a cold fall day, this song reminds me of the beginning of the holidays and of the holidays back home in the Balkans. We all deserve to live in peace and this song is about the birth of the prince of peace.

Air date: December 16, 2025

A Star in the East, Malcolm Dalglish

Suggested by Kate in Vancouver, Washington

This is one of my favorite choral pieces for the Christmas season. I first heard it performed by the Oregon Repertory Singers several years ago, and fell in love with this version of the piece. On clear winter mornings before the sun rises, I think of this piece as I search for the brightest light in the eastern sky. This music paints a beautiful picture of faith in the midst of the darkness.

Air date: December 15, 2025

Overture on Hebrew Themes, Sergei Prokofiev

Suggested by Bob in Mount Angel, Oregon

A very moving piece of music, and I particularly like the version for clarinet and strings. Fitting for the first full day of Hannukah.

Air date: December 12, 2025

The Holly and the Ivy, Traditional

Suggested by Charlotte in Portland, Oregon

I am an Irish dancer with Oregon Irish Dance Academy. One of my favorite memories is performing a Christmas show with the Celtic band the Gothard Sisters. They're wonderful!

Air date: December 11, 2025

Platee: Orage (Thunderstorm), Jean-Philippe Rameau

Suggested by Joseph in St. Paul, Minnesota

This is absolutely electric classical! It has the vigor of Vivaldi and the hairpin turns of Scarlatti. It's just exhilarating. I discovered this in the used classical CD stacks at my local music store. I save $40 cash for the occasion, go there every other Saturday, and spend it all on 5 dollar classical CDs. It's my favorite Saturday afternoon activity. (Oh, and by the way, if you're wondering where all the used Vivaldi is in the city, it has been permanently relocated to my apartment, sorry.)

Air date: December 10, 2025

Little Women: Orchard House (Main Title), Thomas Newman

Suggested by Letty in Barlow, Oregon

I have always loved the 1994 movie version of Louisa May Alcott's novel Little Women. The score is the best part! The movie and the music reminds me of this time of year, and a simpler time. A time when people worked so very hard for everything that they wanted or needed, a time when social media didn't exist; when people wrote letters to communicate with one another. It is so important to look back on History, the good and the bad, because every bit of it is a part of who we are as a world and as a nation. I hope that this score brings back fond memories for everyone who listens.

Air date: December 9, 2025

Carnavalito, Geronimo Bianqui Pinero

Suggested by Jeff in Portland, Oregon

Nothing makes me feel cozy in the dark and rainy months like Segovia's guitar pieces. This recording by one of his contemporaries is beautiful - both slightly mysterious and playful. 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: December 8, 2025

Wild Wood Carol, John Rutter

Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon

I don't think that we hear enough of this carol. I used to listen to it while I was a caregiver as a way to give me peace.

Air date: December 4, 2025

The Girl With the Flaxen Hair, Claude Debussy

Suggested by Seth in Gresham, Oregon

I’ve played the violin all throughout middle school and high school. I recently found new inspiration when listening to Jascha Heifetz. That got me back into playing, I love this piece because of the beauty and colorful tone he gets... it just really captivates you and pulls you in.

Air date: December 3, 2025

Green, Michael Torke

Suggested by Mark in Portland, Oregon

I've heard Torke's Bright Blue Music many times, but I’ve never heard any music inspired by any other color. Do you have any of his other “colorful” music?

Air date: December 1, 2025

Chaconne in F minor, Johann Pachelbel

Suggested by Anne in Portland, Oregon

Everyone knows Pachelbel's Canon, but this piece is so beautiful and lyrical, and a little haunting. It seems to evoke longing and I wonder what Pachelbel was thinking about when it was composed. Originally written for organ, the first time I heard it arranged for orchestra, I had a great desire to be sitting in the middle of the orchestra so that I was completely surrounded by the music. When I find a piece of music that really moves me, especially if it is a hidden gem, I simply want everyone to hear it and enjoy it as I do. Thanks for the joy you bring in sharing the beauty of classical music.

Air date: November 28, 2025

Children’s March: “Over the Hills and Far Away”, Percy Grainger

Suggested by Liam in Keizer, Oregon

Even though I'm a cellist, I love a good symphonic band, and this piece hits just the right spot. There is something magical about this 20th century selection. What I particularly love about this piece is Grainger's written instruction to have the performers sing their parts midway through, no choir needed. It's truly wonderful. I hope you enjoy.

Air date: November 26, 2025

A John Field Suite: 1. Polka, Hamilton Harty

Suggested by Eliza in Vancouver, Washington

This jaunty little tune caught my attention a year or two back after one of my cats, Bashir ("buh-shear"), was recovering from a serious medical episode. I listened to it while watching him run around, playful and spritely and full of life, when just days prior he was hospitalized and fighting to stay alive. The song's cheerful, at times mischievous tune reminds me of him every time I hear it. He's so deserving of the happy, heartful life he leads, and to me, this arrangement sounds like the joy of being alive. It's a celebration of excitement and heart, and that's what Bashir brings to everything he does.

Air date: November 25, 2025

Family Portrait; Egon & Gertie, Rachel Grimes

Suggested by Zosia in Portland, Oregon

When I was a kid, my dad would occasionally put on the album Music for Egon Schiele by Rachel's in the evenings to help me wind down toward bedtime, and it was just part of the atmosphere so I didn't think much about it. Years later, as an adult, I was sitting in the Fresh Pot coffeeshop on Hawthorne and some music came on the speakers that overwhelmed me with a potent nostalgia, followed by the intrigue of wondering where I knew this music from, having forgotten its context from my youth. Some quick research helped me remember why I knew this music, and I purchased the album on vinyl and discovered a whole new level of appreciation for it, which my dad and I now share. It is difficult to select just one song because the album for me truly feels of a piece, which is why I am recommending the first two songs of the album to be played, if possible. I heartily recommend taking an afternoon and lying on the floor and diving deep into the sounds and feelings of this whole album.

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