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. 

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: February 22, 2024

Alvamar Overture, James Barnes

Suggested by Erica in Vancouver, Washington

My senior year at Camas high school, in 1990, the band Director, Mr. Ron James, picked this piece of music for our concert. It was the hardest piece of music that the band had attempted. I will never forget during one of the rehearsals when everything came together, and Mr. James shed a tear, telling us we had just made beautiful music. An unforgettable, treasured memory.

Air date: February 21, 2024

Concerto in F for Piano and Orchestra, George Gershwin

Suggested by Margo in Corvallis, Oregon

Somehow I had never even heard this piece until I played it (violin I) in the Rogue Valley Symphony 30 years ago or so, whereupon I utterly fell in love with it.

Air date: February 19, 2024

Mavis in Las Vegas, Peter Maxwell Davies

Suggested by Tony in Portland, Oregon

I suggested "An Orkney Wedding" a few weeks ago, and I’m not trying to sell or push Peter Maxwell Davies, but there’s another piece of his that’s not so well known that I have always found to be equally delightful, “Mavis in Las Vegas,” which is described as a foxtrot for orchestra. It’s an affectionate homage to ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s popular music, and is both humorous and serious (like an “Orkney Wedding"). And the ending is equally moving—a foxtrot that goes to heaven.

Air date: February 16, 2024

Old Wine in New Bottles, Gordon Jacob

Suggested by Dave in Federal Way, Washington

When I was attending OSU a few decades ago I played in every brass group offered, as well as woodwind ensembles, too (much to the consternation of my academic advisor, who couldn't understand why I was so involved with the musical groups). This is one of the pieces I played. The various sections pop into my head now and then as I hear the "old wine" performed straight. I'd love to hear the modern treatment again!

Air date: February 15, 2024

Sara la baigneuse (Sara the Bather), Hector Berlioz

Suggested by Jeff in Portland, Oregon

I'm in the midst of resurrecting my high school French in preparation for a trip to France in May. So, in addition to hours with DuoLingo, I'm reading and listening to everything French that I can. I had discovered the French song "Sara la Baigneuse" by Berlioz many years ago... it's fun to now translate (a bit risqué!) and the music is great!

Air date: February 13, 2024

Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen (“I Am Leaving The World…”) from Ruckert-Lieder, Gustav Mahler

Suggested by Erika in Portland, Oregon

My desire to hear this song has been prompted by the recent return of my mother's grand piano to our home, 4 years after her passing. My mother was my son's piano accompanist through high school until he went to music school to study voice. My son sang this song at his senior recital, which we recorded. When my mother was about to pass and did not seem responsive, we played the recording of my son singing it. Although she could not speak, she slowly brought her hands on top of the covers and began to play the accompaniment. As soon as the song was over, she slowly put her hands back under the covers. We knew that she could hear and was responding to the song she had played with my son so often.

Air date: February 12, 2024

The Wind Rises: A Journey (A Dream of Flight), Joe Hisaishi

Suggested by Eden in Beaverton, Oregon

This song is from the movie The Wind Rises, Hayao Miyazaki’s last movie before retiring (though he has since made a comeback). Joe Hisaishi composes most of the music in the soundtracks of Studio Ghibli movies, and this one is by far my favorite. It evokes feelings of nostalgia for me, and when I listen to it I can’t help but think of mild summer days accompanied by a cool breeze. This song has been a comfort to me during dark times, and I hope it can do the same for others!

Air date: February 9, 2024

Emmanuel, Michel Colombier

Suggested by Jamie in Beaverton, Oregon

My name is Jamie Marie, and I need to share with you how grateful I am for this station. Every time I hear about All Classical's donors I break into tears, because I know they helped save my life just as much as this music did.

I listened to All Classical with parents since I was a kid, They're both gone now, and through those very tough years I almost gave up all hope... then I heard this song - "Emmanuel"- and it was as if my Mother was talking to me through the music. Every single cell in my body lit up with a chill; it was as if every part of me was rejoicing and singing together!

This song, along with this radio station absolutely saved my life. I cannot listen to the song without my whole body reminding me, "we love you Jamie, we believe in YOU Jamie!!! You Got this!!!"

And so, although I do not have much to give back to all of you beautiful people who have absolutely EACH been a key player in saving my life, I want to give back everything I can: by having us all hear this song together, all across the world. Maybe if we all rejoice together, we can fly away home.

Air date: February 8, 2024

Gramofon Waltz, Eugen Doga

Suggested by Kristina in Vancouver, Washington

When I listen to it, it makes me think of snowflakes dancing... and calling me to dance with them. It’s like a winter fairytale. I think more people need to hear this wonderful piece.

Air date: February 7, 2024

The Nutcracker: Mother Ginger, Peter Tchaikovsky

Suggested by Elizabeth in Portland, Oregon

Christa, you played a song recently that had a tambourine in it that reminded me of the Nutcracker. When I was little, my grandma would take my sister and I to see the Nutcracker at Keller Auditorium every year. My favorite part was when Mother Ginger, or as I used to call her, "the big lady" would come out. I loved the upbeat music with the tambourine. But my favorite part about the big lady was how she would interact with the crowd, making us laugh. And that music will always make me want to dance!

Air date: February 6, 2024

Radetzky March, Johann Strauss, Sr.

Suggested by Travis in Portland, Oregon

I recently found the novel the Radetzky March by Joseph Roth in a free little library. It was an incredible book, and throughout my read I was determined to not listen to the piece until after I finished the book. When I finally listened to the piece, I was struck by the contrast between book and music, as the book was melancholy, but the piece is quite bombastic!

Air date: February 5, 2024

Romeo and Juliet: Epilogue: Juliet’s Burial & Juliet’s Death, Sergei Prokofiev

Suggested by Elizabeth in Lake Oswego, Oregon

My father was my teacher in all things classical music. And while I had much to learn, he grew up in the coal fields of West Virginia so was also discovering. Our explorations evolved to include season tickets to the San Francisco Ballet where we thoroughly enjoyed the music, the dance and time together. The only time I ever saw my father cry was during our first season as I looked over at him during the death of Juliet to see if was enjoying it as much as I was... only to find tears coursing down his face. I shall never forget it and what it taught me about the power of music.

Air date: February 2, 2024

At Twilight, Zdenek Fibich

Suggested by Neil in Portland, Oregon

There's a section of this piece that has been transcribed for piano and entitled "Poem;" I learned of that first. The entire work is an absolutely gorgeous piece. It always brought so many emotions and always made me tear up. The world doesn't listen to enough Fibich and I hope to change that. Please, enjoy.

Air date: February 1, 2024

We Shall Overcome, Spiritual

Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon

I just watched the movie "Harriet," about Harriet Tubman. And while Terrance Blanchard wrote a beautiful score, there are also some wonderful spirituals in that film. On the occasion of the first day of Black History Month, I'd like to suggest we experience a spiritual together.

Air date: January 31, 2024

Fuori del mondo (Out of this World), Ludovico Einaudi

Suggested by Alicia in Hillsboro, Oregon

I heard this piece on Warren Black's show and thought it hauntingly beautiful. It truly did seem to take me out of this world!

Air date: January 30, 2024

Carnival of the Animals: The Swan, Camille Saint-Saens

Suggested by Phoebe in Portland, Oregon

This was on a CD that my family kept in the car when I was a kid. When it played, it made me sort of ache and feel peaceful at the same time. I found out years later that this was my parent's wedding song and that they had even hired a harpist to play it. Because of that, as I look back, I like to think that my childhood reaction to the music was innate... I think that aching-yet-peaceful feeling is probably love. If I ever get hitched, I'll certainly have this played at my wedding, too.

Air date: January 29, 2024

An Orkney Wedding, With Sunrise, Peter Maxwell Davies

Suggested by Tony in Portland, Oregon

I love all kinds of music from Bach to Brubeck to Boulez. I have no strong favorites. But for many years I’ve cherished the delightful "An Orkney Wedding With Sunrise" which depicts an all night wedding celebration. The music takes us through the evening festivities, into a drunken nighttime, and onward to a splendid sunrise with a joyful bagpipe! All in 13 minutes. I love that in live performance, the bagpiper enters at the rear of the auditorium and marches down the aisle to the stage.

Air date: January 26, 2024

Toccata and Fugue in D minor, J.S. Bach

Suggested by Bill in Portland, Oregon

I first heard a portion of this over-the-top organ piece played on the Wanamaker Organ at a noon recital at the Macy's in Philadelphia (but back when Macy's was still Wanamaker's). I was seated next to the organist, a tiny woman who could barely reach the top manual. I was 19 (1959) on that first trip to Philadelphia, and it still gives me a thrill to hear all of this from ONE person's hands & feet!

Air date: January 25, 2024

Clair de Lune, Claude Debussy

Suggested by Julia in Ithaca, New York

I'm 59 years old. I don't remember much about my nursery school days, but one thing that has stuck with me clearly for 56 years is that every day, my nursery school teacher - Miss O'Brian - would play a record of Claire de Lune as we children stretched out on our floor mats to take our nap. Maybe she played other things too, but all I remember is Claire de Lune. I still remember lying on my orange mat on the white linoleum floor, listening to the music and feeling so peaceful and happy to be at nursery school and having nap time!

Maybe 20 years ago, when I was visiting my home town in Upstate NY, I saw Miss O'Brian in the grocery store. And I told her how I still had fond memories of hearing Claire de Lune for our nap time. She told me that it had been a favorite piece of music of hers since she was a little girl. It was a lovely connection with her. And one of a many ways that I feel so grateful for having grown up around people who shared their love of music with me as a young person.

To this day, when I hear it, I always feel so warm and happy (and like I want to take a nap) - no matter where I am or what I'm doing.

Air date: January 24, 2024

Lute Concerto in D, Antonio Vivaldi

Suggested by Elaine in Portland, Oregon

When I was about 5 or 6, I got to watch Sesame Street every day. Besides the sketches with the fascinating characters, I enjoyed the snippets of music they’d play, along with a video of some sort. My very favorite was a video of a rose growing out of a crack in a sidewalk in front of a brick wall, in the rain. The music was the first half of the second movement, “Largo" of Vivaldi’s Lute Concerto in D major, and every time I saw this I cried because I thought the rose was crying! To this day this is one of my very favorite works and I still tear up whenever I hear it. While I might cry, it would be great to hear the entire concerto. I love how the first movement is joyful, the second is sad, and the third is joyful again! The concerto (as well as this Sesame Street video) is a lovely metaphor for finding beauty and joy in the midst of a world that isn’t always happy, or perhaps of a life well lived, full of joyous moments as well as melancholy ones.

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