Programs & Hosts

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: October 24, 2024

Ma Vlast (My Fatherland): No. 6: Blanik, Bedrich Smetana

Suggested by Steve in Portland, Oregon

The first name that comes to my mind when I think of composers who wrote tone poems is Bedrich Smetana. His most famous one is "The Moldau." It describes the course of the river Moldau from its trinkling beginnings through the countryside and on to Prague. "The Moldau" is one of six tone poems comprising "Ma Vlast"(My Country). Each tells something of Czech history, legends, landscapes, struggles, hopes for the future. It is magnificent music. The amazing cycle of all 6 tone poems lasts well over an hour; it's an epic journey.

Air date: October 23, 2024

Barber of Seville: Overture, Gioachhino Rossini

Suggested by George in Clackamas, Oregon

When I was about 12, my mother remarried. My stepfather was a music director, and I became, by default, a singer. I sang in multiple choirs in high school and in church, performing gospel, jazz, pop and classical music. Often, we performed a cappella, and I developed a taste for it. One of my favorite vocal groups was The King's Singers. I especially loved their performance of the Overture to the Barber of Seville. I was always trying to get our choir director, my stepfather, to add the song to our repertoire, but he never did. The closest we got was an a cappella version of "Black Bird" which The King's Singers also performed. I don't sing much anymore (probably a good thing for audiences everywhere), but I look back fondly on my forced participation in the performing arts. Even if I didn't get to sing the high parts to the Overture and that great ending.

Air date: October 22, 2024

Impromptu No. 3 in G flat (D 899/Opus 90), Franz Schubert

Suggested by Helmi in Portland, Oregon

I first heard this Schubert Piano impromptu in college and it transported me. I listened to it over and over and still come back 40 years later to it when I want to relax and reflect. I find it quite soothing to listen to.

Air date: October 21, 2024

Violin Concerto In e, Op. 64: Mvmt 3 Allegretto non troppo, Felix Mendelssohn

Suggested by Steve in Portland, Oregon

My wife and I met at an Oregon Symphony concert. The featured work that evening was Mendelssohn's violin Concerto. The soloist was Ani Kavafian. Ever since then it has been "our song", especially the second movement

Air date: October 18, 2024

Capriol Suite: Pieds-en-l’air (Andante tranquillo), Peter Warlock

Suggested by Camille in Washington State

I'm in a church choir. When we sing at midnight mass, the strings always play this piece. I love the emotion and timeless beauty.

Air date: October 17, 2024

Clair de Lune, Claude Debussy

Suggested by Mike in Portland, Oregon

In Honor of Dame Maggie Smith

Air date: October 16, 2024

Symphony No. 3: II. Andante tranquillo, Howard Hanson

Suggested by Martin in West Linn, Oregon

I just think this symphony is not played enough. And this movement contains such beautiful music!

Air date: October 15, 2024

Romeo & Juliet: Dance With Mandolins & Dance of the Knights, Sergei Prokofiev

Suggested by Rick in Salem, Oregon

These pieces prompted the first classical CD I ever bought! I had a classical station on in the car many years ago, before I seriously listened to classical music at all. I heard Dance of the Knights but didn't know what it was. It finally came around again on the station's playlist and I caught the name. I immediately checked the CD out from the library (Lorin Maazel and the Cleveland Orchestra) and fell in love with the entire piece, finally purchasing the CD. Dance of the Knights touches me deep in the soul and is so evocative, and Dance with the Mandolins touches my toes and almost makes me want to dance (but no one wants to see that).

Air date: October 14, 2024

Te Deum: V. In Te, Domine speravi, Anton Bruckner

Suggested by Cole in Tualatin, Oregon

I sang Bruckner's Te Deum 10 years ago in the Oregon Bach Festival (as part of the SFYCA), it being the first major work I’d ever sung in. I love how powerful a wall of sound the choir creates during the various climaxes of each movement.

Air date: October 11, 2024

Chichester Psalms: 2. Psalm 23 (The Lord is my shepherd), Leonard Bernstein

Suggested by Daryl in Beaverton, Oregon

When I was a girl, my mother took me to a record store in Chagrin Falls, Ohio so I could buy my first recording with my own allowance, I was looking through the vast collection of 33RPMs when the store put "Chichester Psalms" on the record player. I froze, mesmerized - that was the music I had to bring home. And then I found out it was my TV "hero" Leonard Bernstein's music. It was a a magical moment.

Air date: October 10, 2024

Symphony No. 5: Movement 2, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Victoria in Milwaukie, Oregon

Beethoven’s love of humanity is poignantly portrayed in this piece. Taken alone, it is his love story to the world.

Air date: October 9, 2024

Wedding Day at Troldhaugen, Edvard Grieg

Suggested by Peter in Portland, Oregon

I love this piece. And I want you to know how much All Classical Radio has been an inspiration for my family.

Air date: October 7, 2024

West Side Story: Overture, Leonard Bernstein

Suggested by Vic in Salida, Colorado

As the only bass player in high school orchestra, I was often asked to assist in extra-curricular projects, including annual student productions of Broadway musicals. While these were fun, the music was never compelling, until ‘West Side Story’ was chosen during my senior year. The musical director chose a pared-down score, consisting of just piano, bass, and drums, and having neither talent nor experience, I worried that I was in over my head. But, as it often happens, everything came together at the dress rehearsal, and a splendid series of shows was performed. I’ve continued in adulthood to contribute to community stage productions, but none have thrilled like ‘West Side Story.’

Air date: October 3, 2024

Intermezzo in A, Op. 118, No. 2, Johannes Brahms

Suggested by Barbara in Portland, Oregon

I heard and fell in love with this piece over the years I've been listening to All Classical Radio. The wistful feeling, that one high note which I can almost see the pianist reaching to and hesitating over the key before touching it. Several years ago, my sister offered to learn a piece for me for my birthday that year. This is the one I asked for.

Air date: October 2, 2024

Goin’ Home (after Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony), Antonin Dvorak

Suggested by Alicia in Hillsboro, Oregon

My husband, Sam, very recently died, and this was one of his favorite pieces of music. He was in the British Army for many years before we met, and this piece resonated very much for him and many of his fellow soldiers, especially when posted away from England, which Sam was for many of his 22 years in the Army. Although it will make me cry, I'd love to hear it played again.

Air date: October 1, 2024

Piano Sonata in B-flat Major: 1. Molto Moderato, Franz Schubert

Suggested by Travis in Helsinki, Finland

Mark Westcott is a former concert pianist and Portland native. He recently passed away on March 30th, 2024. For the latter part of his life, he taught students in Portland from whom he was deeply revered. Mark's career as a concert pianist was stunted by skin cancer in his 40's. I studied under Mark starting in 2020 up until he passed, and what drew me to him as a teacher was that I was undergoing treatment for melanoma at the time. His indomitable, unyielding spirit gave me confidence both at the piano and while facing cancer. I miss him deeply. He has a YouTube channel full of his masterful performances, all of which are worth listening to.

Air date: September 30, 2024

Short Ride in a Fast Machine, John Adams

Suggested by Eve in Hamilton, Montana

My parents were musicians and exposed me to all sorts of music, from Traditional American, Blues, Jazz, Opera, and of course Classical. And as a result I listen to many genres but classical is my absolute love! I so appreciate the true community nature of this station and I'm so happy to have discovered this amazing resource of calm, culture, humor and friendship!

Air date: September 27, 2024

Duetto Buffo Di Due Gatti (Cat Duet), Gioachhino Rossini

Suggested by Ellen in Ridgefield, Washington

Why this piece? Having fun is a requirement in life!

Air date: September 25, 2024

Coppelia: Ballet Suite, Leo Delibes

Suggested by Andra in Portland, Oregon

My beloved Mother recently passed away, and this piece of music was one of her favorites; I would like to hear it in memory of her. This music touched her so much that she would get tears when she heard it because it was so beautiful!

Air date: September 24, 2024

Etude in E, Op. 10 No. 3, “Tristesse”, Frederic Chopin

Suggested by Jerry in Lincoln, Nebraska

My mother was a music major so I grew up with a lot of exposure to music. She used to play this piece a lot. It is challenging to play, but she practiced a lot and powered through. Sadly, my mother passed away last year. Anytime I hear this music it stirs up great emotion in me, Nostalgia I guess. I just wanted to share this great work with everyone.

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