Programs & Hosts

Five O’Clock Favorite

Hosted by
Christa Wessel

Five O’Clock Favorite

Every weekday at 5pm 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. 

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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: May 1, 2025

Poet and Peasant Overture, Franz von Suppe

Suggested by Dan in Pacific City, Oregon

While in no way can I select a favorite classical musical selection, given that there are far too many pieces of equal beauty, majesty or passion, I would like to suggest one piece in memory of my Dad. By way of background, with such music playing so often in our home, he inspired me to enjoy and appreciate the wide range of its beautiful offerings. And through such listening I quickly came to realize that such music bypasses the intellect, essentially going straight to the soul.
Returning to my Dad, while he and I saw eye to eye on our appreciation of the wide gamut of classical music, one powerful piece comes to mind on which we strongly disagreed. The disagreement was not because of the music’s beauty, on which we both agreed, but rather on the identification of the two characters represented in its music. This selection is the “Poet and Peasant Overture” by Franz von Suppé. It contains two themes; the opening gentle and bucolic, eventually transitioning into the second, a boisterously passionate theme. Given that it’s been over half century since my Dad and I last went at it, arguing our interpretations, frankly I can no longer remember which position I had taken. Was it the poet or peasant (my best guess today) represented in the opening theme? I would greatly appreciate the thoughts of other listeners.

Air date: April 30, 2025

Susan, the Doggie and Me, Percy Whitlock

Suggested by Charles in Gleneden Beach, Oregon

Back when I was a kid I was fortunate enough to have a music teacher who worked hard to help us appreciate classical music. One of her methods was to play selections where we could visualize the story the composer was telling. The Grand Canyon Suite, The Planets, Strauss waltzes, and even Korngold film scores. This short piece by Percy Whitlock is a light composition that always makes me smile, and reminds me how lucky I was to have such a music teacher.

Air date: April 29, 2025

March Militaire No. 1, Franz Schubert

Suggested by Steven in Vancouver, Washington

Christa's note:
I recently received two letters in the mail: one handwritten from Steven in Vancouver, and another from Steven's parents. The parents' letter reads:

Enclosed you will find our son's request for a 5:00 Favorite and I wanted to add a cover letter to it.

Steven is 20 years old and has Down syndrome. All Classical has been a joyful, as well as crucial, part of his growth in the last decade. None of our large family was familiar with classical music until Steven heard the station on the way to school many years ago. Suddenly, we could only have your station on the radio, per his instructions, and he began an in-depth journey into every aspect of classical composers.

Every week he spends hours listening to, studying, and pouring over CDs, books and videos. The growth is really amazing. He recognizes sonatas playing in restaurants, he can tell you the names, birth and death dates, family members, eras, and the most notable works of hundreds of composers. His room is covered in busts of composers and classical CD and pages of information that he has gathered over the years.

The benefit has rippled far and wide as we are all now classical music fans and he has taught many of his peers and teachers to appreciate the music and history of classical music. He has even played short renditions of Ode to Joy and Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring on the piano at this school for several Christmas assemblies.

All this to say, thank you KQAC for all that you have invested in our son. You have pointed him to such a wonderful place to grow and thrive. As many of his age group spends hours gaming or in front of the television, you have helped us cultivate a treasure of knowledge and beauty in him that we feel good about and that he can confidently share with the world. He was even given an opportunity help conduct his high school band because the director knew of his love of classical music.

With many warm thanks, James and Dana

The handwritten letter from Steven:
I enjoy hearing classical music. I am turning 21 on August 7th, the same day when Franz Schubert first performed his first Military March in 1826, which made me happy inside my heart.

Thank you, Steven

Air date: April 28, 2025

Cello Quintet: II. Adagio, Franz Schubert

Suggested by Joe in Beaverton, Oregon

Late October 1980, I was on assignment in Quetta, Baluchistan, Pakistan, not far from Afghanistan. Signs were ominous, and it was intense, Americans in agency clothes in the hotel lobby who watched out the corners of their eyes. It hit the pit of my stomach, my better sense was screaming, "No, no!" but the feeling of inevitability told me something was afoot.

When I got to my room I switched on the BBC, such a clear signal in Quetta where there was so little electricity to cause interference, and the broadcast lifted me right out of the doldrums. They played Schubert's String Quintet in C Major. I tear up even now, remembering that moment so long ago. Art can be so very powerful.

Air date: April 25, 2025

Rustle of Spring, Christian Sinding

Suggested by Dian in Portland, Oregon

I was one of two accompanists for our high school choir groups (Centennial High School, Gresham OR). The other person was the much better pianist, so I was usually given the easier pieces when the full choir or smaller groups were not a cappella. But one time, I was given the assignment of probably the hardest piece I remember playing, certainly for the choir, if not in all my 9 years of piano lessons and recitals - Rustle of Spring! In my memory it seems our pace was one of the slower versions I can find online (which saved me, and also probably made it easier on the teenage voices of the choir). It would be wonderful if you could find a recording of a choral performance, but if not, even the solo piano version brings back the memories and is fitting for this time of year.

Air date: April 24, 2025

Piano Concerto in A minor: 1st Movement, Edvard Grieg

Suggested by Barbara in Portland, Oregon

My mother was a wonderful pianist and I remember when she got a vinyl record (sometime in the ‘60s) with only the orchestral parts to this concerto along with the score for the piano, and thus could play the piano as though she were playing with a symphony orchestra! It made her so happy, and was a delight to listen to!

Air date: April 23, 2025

Ave Maria, Franz Schubert

Suggested by Katie in Tigard, Oregon

The Ave Maria takes me to a place of bliss and reverence for the powerful woman she was in her time. No one knows her true story except through her most precious gift, her son Jesus or Jesu. Both of them are real inspirations for humanity in our turbulent times. I hope everyone listening feels peace and inner joy this evening.

Air date: April 22, 2025

Symphony No. 3: Movement 3, Johannes Brahms (Arranged by Luke Faulkner)

Suggested by Max in Portland, Oregon

Great piano arrangement. Found myself replaying this one on the bus to work every morning as I watch the sun rise over the hills.

Air date: April 21, 2025

The Last Words of David, Randall Thompson

Suggested by Randolph in Portland, Oregon

The texts of Thompson’s setting of Second Samuel, chapter 23, verse 4 have spoken to me personally throughout some of the most trying moments of my life: "He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain."

Air date: April 18, 2025

Both Sides Now, Joni Mitchell

Suggested by Joseph in Portland, Oregon

My now deceased husband James and I first heard this as a 5 O'Clock Favorite. James was particularly moved by the clarity and beauty of Glen Murphy's voice. James would often ask me to find it on YouTube on our PC and play it. After 51 wonderful years together, it is often difficult for me to move on with life. Dedicating this request to dear James will help.

Air date: April 17, 2025

Piano Concerto No. 2: II. Andante, Dmitri Shostakovich

Suggested by Roz in Fairview, Oregon

My love for this piece began in 1966, when I was able to attend an ABT performance of the ballet "Concerto" in San Francisco. To that point, I was not at all familiar with Shostakovich or his music. Perhaps it was the influence of watching the pas de deux that uses this section of the concerto, but I was moved to tears as I sat there. The music touched me very deeply. To this day, each time I hear even a snippet of this work. those memories flood over me... in a very joyous way. A wonderful memory triggered by beautiful music at a very happy time in my life.

Air date: April 16, 2025

Mercy, Max Richter

Suggested by Cameron in Portland, Oregon

This piece was my beloved brother-in-law's favorite piece. He passed away last June. It was played at his memorial service.

Air date: April 15, 2025

Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus, George Frideric Handel

Suggested by Dave in Federal Way, Washington

When I'm not busy making suggestions for the Five O'Clock Favorite, I'm an accountant. We're coming up to the end of tax season, and I'm requesting this piece as a celebration for everyone involved in the tax preparation industry! Of course, I'm requesting this be played on the 15th! [Since it's not Christmas I'd prefer to hear an instrumental version. Brass would be great!]

Air date: April 14, 2025

The Thieving Magpie: Overture, Gioachhino Rossini

Suggested by Brent in Beaverton, Oregon

In my teenage years, I stumbled upon the movie adaptation of Anthony Burgess' novel A Clockwork Orange, directed by Stanley Kubrick. This film became my gateway to classical music, beginning with Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, inspired by the antihero’s fascination with Beethoven’s work. One of the most iconic scenes from Kubrick's film features the main character, Alex DeLarge, walking in slow motion with his "droogs" along the Flatblock Marina while narrating the moment to the sound of Rossini’s The Thieving Magpie Overture. This scene marked the beginning of my classical music journey, and to this day I find it nearly impossible to hear this piece without seeing that scene play out in my mind.

Air date: April 3, 2025

Somewhere in Time: Main Theme, John Barry

Suggested by Max in Portland, Oregon

I'd like to hear the theme from "Somewhere In Time", starring the wonderful Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve. I got the chance to see the movie on the big screen a few years ago, and despite whatever the critics have to say bout this film, it touched me. I met my wife shortly thereafter and could hear the orchestra swelling in my ears. Lovely piece.

Air date: April 2, 2025

Les Chansons des Roses: Dirait-on, Morten Lauridsen

Suggested by Laurie in Silverton, Oregon

I was an awkward 11 year old when the Beaverton High School jazz band would meet at our house to practice. The only one of the boys who went out of his way to be kind to me was Skip Lauridsen. After Skip graduated from Sunset High School, he went on to Whitman College to major in music, and then to graduate school at USC. He is now famously known as Dr. Morten Lauridsen, recipient of many honors including the National Medal of Arts. On his behalf, may I request that you play one of my very favorite pieces of music "Dirait-on" by Dr. Lauridsen.

Air date: April 1, 2025

Parasite: The Belt of Faith, Jung Jae-il

Suggested by Jeff in Portland, Oregon

The other day I was going around with a tune stuck in my head. I couldn't figure where I'd picked it up until I realized that I had watched the South Korean film "Parasite" the day before. Aha! That was it. The music in question is "The Belt of Faith" that runs continuously for seven minutes and provides a motive force for the action of the film during which members of the Kim family deviously insert themselves as domestics in the household of the clueless Park family. Written in the baroque style, it stands on its own as a very witty and satisfying composition.

Air date: March 31, 2025

Variations on a Theme by Haydn (two piano version), Johannes Brahms

Suggested by Julie in Portland, Oregon

My happy memory is about the two-piano version of this piece, which is what Brahms wrote in the first place. I think it is the best example of a variation that has ever been written! But it is even more wonderful because of my memory of two Portland women well known to all who appreciate piano and choral music: Maude Sardam, an extraordinary piano teacher, and Mary Margaret Dundore, a talented soprano and pianist and choir director.

Mary Margaret was a student of Maude’s and they maintained a special relationship until Maude's death at age 100-plus. They were both terrific friends of mine and to celebrate our friendship, Maud and Mary Margaret invited me to Maud’s home for a special performance just for me: the Brahms Variations on Maude’s two beautiful pianos. What a pair, I was enthralled and will never forget that wonderful concert just for me. It was thrilling and such a loving nod to our friendship.

Air date: March 28, 2025

Concerto for Four Harpsichords and Strings, J.S. Bach

Suggested by Daniel in Portland, Oregon

Ethos Music Center, a non-profit music school in Portland, Oregon, has been struggling financially in recent years. Despite this, they recognized my talent and passion as a musician and chose to donate me a Neupert Bach model harpsichord. I cannot describe how much this has impacted me, and I could never have gotten where I have without their support. I chose this piece not only for myself, but as a thank-you to all of the wonderful staff at Ethos. You have helped me grow as a musician more than I can possibly tell you!

Air date: March 27, 2025

Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp, Claude Debussy

Suggested by Carmen in Portland, Oregon

My husband and I love Debussy, and we were frequent concert goers. He died last year, a couple of months after we celebrated our 60th anniversary. To keep my memory of him alive I go to the Sunday morning concerts of ChatterPDX almost every week. I love their amazing performers and the intimate and relaxed atmosphere of their concerts which always combine contemporary composers from Portland and elsewhere with traditional classics. I was delighted a few weeks ago when they presented this piece by Debussy which I don't remember having listened before. Alicia, Amanda and Matthew, the principals of flute, viola and harp of the Oregon Symphony were superb! I name them by their first names only because I sat so close to them I felt they were my close friends bringing back the love of my life.

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