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.
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!
Submit your favorite piece:
Suggestions are easiest to honor if they’re 20 minutes or less.
Several summers ago, when Alan Iglitzin was still the artistic director of Concerts in the Barn in Quilcene, WA, I attended a performance that was to conclude with Schubert's Piano Quintet in A Major, Opus 114. Following the intermission, Iglitzin came out and announced that the violinist from Boston had become ill the day before and was unable to make the performance. With little time to spare, Iglitzin and the pianist from the quintet pulled together and performed Rachmaninoff’s challenging piece, the Symphonic Dances for 2 Pianos. It was stunning and the power of the four hands only enhanced the intensity of the piece as well as capturing the range of emotions, something the symphonic version can’t begin to replicate. It was a profound success, and the audience went wild. The two pianists were drenched in sweat, and it wasn’t only because of it being an August afternoon. I was mesmerized by this experience and remain so each time I play it at home. I would love for All Classical to play this piece with two pianos so your listeners can hopefully be as moved as I was.