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.

Due to the interest in the program, it may be a week or two before you hear your selection on-air.

Recent Favorites

Air date: June 25, 2024

It’s a Small World – Variations (arr. Thomas Rheingans), Richard Sherman; Robert B Sherman

Suggested by Elizabeth in Portland, Oregon

Richard Sherman, one of the composers of It's a Small World. passed away this past May. This version not only honors Sherman, but many other composers with strong legacies. Thomas Rheingans is an exceptional musician and came to this arrangement by wondering, 'what if that song were written by Mozart, or Beethoven, or Sousa?' It's a delightful piece and I'd love to share it with others.

Air date: June 24, 2024

Piano Sonata No. 29 in B Flat, “Hammerklavier”, Op. 106: 4th movement, Ludwig van Beethoven

Suggested by Diane in Anchorage, Alaska

I would like a second chance to hear the fourth movement from Beethoven's “Das Hammerklavier” under circumstances not as traumatic as the first time I heard it. Here is what happened.

We moved to Alaska when the Alyeska pipeline was under construction and all the arts were flush with oil money. In 1983, as I recall, I read that pianist Peter Serkin was coming to Anchorage for a live performance of Das Hammerklavier. The press release stressed what a rare event this would be, due to the reputation of the performer and the length (45 minutes) and difficulty of the piece. My husband was interested, too, so I visited the ticket office and studied the seating plan of the venue. Front row seats were still available.

What a great time to introduce our 11-year-old daughter and her 6-year-old brother to full-on concert-going! I said to myself. I purchased 4 front and center seats.

The night of the performance we reviewed concert comportment with the kids at home and settled into our seats at the West High auditorium. But when Peter Serkin came on stage and saw two young children in the front row, his expression of sheer horror almost knocked me out.

Dear God, what have I done? I said to myself. And moreover, done to a world class artist? And after he had worked so hard to prepare one of the most difficult pieces in the piano repertoire? And traveled so far to perform it? He was clearly alarmed. I was devastated.

The welcoming applause died away. Serkin seated himself on the piano bench and as he began to play, a miracle began to take place. Awash in the sound and the sight of this ordinary man wrestling with a Steinway a few feet in front of their noses, the two children were motionless. No twisting, no squirming, not a sound out of either one. While the youngsters sat enrapt in the power of the music (and their father enjoyed the evening, too) their mother heard the entire performance in a state of anxiety and hypervigilance unparalled in her dull life right up to that very evening.

Later on, I figured out what must have happened. The muse Euterpe, goddess of music, had to have been in the audience, disguised perhaps as an Arco secretary or a BP accountant. As a minor goddess, Euterpe’s role is to ensure the pleasure of the top gods in the pantheon, the heavies. Euterpe doesn’t give a fig about the happiness of mere mortals, but she cares deeply about pleasing the VIPs. And the VIPs were in the audience that night, too – Zeus, Hera, Athena, Artemis, Aphrodite, Ares, Apollo, Demeter, Hades, Hermes, Poseidon. They had come down en masse from Parnassus, disguised as Alaskans, dressed in Carhartts and Woolrich bush tuxedos, expecting a bravura performance. Euterpe was there to make sure they got one.

I remember the third movement, the adagio, as the nadir of my suffering, when even a yawn from a tired child could have marred the evening. At some point, little brother had dozed off, but – mirabile dictu – he was not snoring, as was his usual wont. Again, we have Euterpe to thank.

I have never again heard Das Hammerklavier. I would welcome an opportunity to revisit the last movement in hopes that the final notes might bring back some of the release I experienced at the end of that nerve-wracking concert forty years ago.

Air date: June 20, 2024

Fermi’s Paradox, Ronn McFarlane

Suggested by Annie in Portland, Oregon

When I first heard this composition by lutenist Ronn McFarlane, I was captivated by the music without really understanding the title. After some Googling, I'm now even more taken with this piece. (Fermi's Paradox is the discrepancy between the lack of conclusive evidence of advanced extraterrestrial life and the apparently high likelihood of its existence. In other words: if there are billions of planets in the universe that are capable of supporting life, and millions of intelligent species out there, then why have none visited Earth?)

Air date: June 19, 2024

He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands, Traditional Spiritual

Suggested by Vincent in Portland, Oregon

On this Juneteenth, I'd like to suggest we hear a spiritual to commemorate the emancipation of the 250,000 slaves that occurred in Texas on this date in 1865.

Air date: June 18, 2024

The Planets: Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity, Gustav Holst

Suggested by Dan in Vancouver, Washington

To any parents out there who may be fans of a certain animated canine family (Bluey), this piece will sound familiar as it is featured heavily in the episode "Sleepytime." This piece has become one of my favorites, as it reminds me to cherish every moment in the parenting journey, even as my daughter (who is 10) reaches new levels of independence in her life (Yay!) becoming less reliant on her parents (bittersweet boo!). The music typically moves me to shed a tear, and I expect hearing it played now will do the same. And so I dedicate this piece to Autumn, the best daughter this dad could hope to raise.

Air date: June 17, 2024

On The Town: Times Square, Leonard Bernstein

Suggested by Doug in Portland, Oregon

Bernstein composed beautifully for dancers. This selection from On The Town demonstrates both his talents and the wonderful, manic energy of New York.

Air date: June 13, 2024

Turkish Rondo, W. A. Mozart

Suggested by Marsha in West Linn, Oregon

This is a special version, performed live by pianist Fazil Say, with improvisation. The recording was made in Portland and always makes me smile. The world needs more music that makes us smile!

Air date: June 12, 2024

La Campanella, Niccolo Paganini

Suggested by Joshua in Portland, Oregon

When I was growing up I would always listen to this piece because Niccolo Paginini was one of my favorite classical composers.

Air date: June 11, 2024

The Pearl Fishers, Act 1: Au fond du temple saint, Georges Bizet

Suggested by Karissa in Vernonia, Oregon

This beautiful rendition of Georges Bizet's famous aria was performed very recently on season four of "Virtuosos," a talent competition focused on supporting youth in classical music. The legendary Three Tenors vocalist Placido Domingo and international superstar Dimash Qudaibergen. Dimash is from Kazakhstan and is a very special artist to me and thousands around the world. Both Dimash and Placido were serving as panelists for this talent competition and it had been a lifelong dream of Dimash's to perform with Domingo. Immediately upon their meeting Placido exclaimed that they must do a duet together and this was the result of that beautiful collaboration. This is a wonderful performance not only because of the incredible talent on the stage but also because the high profile panelists are helping to draw greater attention to the beauty of classical music for younger generations and revitalizing interest in it for today's youth and young adults.

Air date: June 4, 2024

Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, Edward Elgar

Suggested by Kris in Gresham, Oregon

I've been on a local school board for almost 25 years (and still serving). During that time I have attended many, many graduation ceremonies. This is the best part of being a board member; acknowledging student success, and being a part of the family celebrations. Pomp & Circumstance always makes me feel that joy of achievement.

Air date: June 3, 2024

Valdres March, Johannes Hanssen

Suggested by Dave in Federal Way, Washington

I've listened classical music all my life, but it really all started with light classics performed by the Boston Pops. Valdres is a light-hearted march that I've always enjoyed, evocative of the composer's homeland of Norway. I had it going through my head the other day and I started wondering what Walt Disney's crews could have done with it as part of "Fantasia". Somehow I picture some little bunnies being threatened by a predator, then getting counsel from a wise old owl, and in the end the bunnies are triumphant (kind of like Peter and the Wolf)! Anyway, it would be nice to hear the piece again, and if you have a recording by someone other than the Boston Pops that would be especially nice.

Air date: May 31, 2024

Lifeforce, Henry Mancini

Suggested by Dominic in HIllsboro, Oregon

There are a lot of movie scores, but this one gets you excited for a sci-fi epic. It gets you motivated and excited for a wild adventure that quote "In the blink of an eye, the terror has already begun!" It really gets your heart pumping.

Air date: May 30, 2024

Organ Symphony No. 5: Toccata, Charles-Marie Widor

Suggested by Richard in Tillamook, Oregon

I love classical pipe organ and believe it to truly be the King of instruments. I personally find this to be one of my favorite pieces to lift my spirits. It almost makes you want to say YEAH!!! with a fist pump!

Air date: May 29, 2024

Tristan und Isolde: Prelude to Act 1, Richard Wagner

Suggested by Margot in Brattleboro, Vermont

I would be very appreciative if you could play this piece for my friend Ryan— who is currently serving time in an Oregon prison— on his birthday (May 29th). Playing and listening to music are very important to him. Ryan suffers from mental illness and has been unable to play music and has taken refuge in your station, which he likes to listen to while "staring outside at the fluffy clouds." I know I don't need to wax poetic about the many therapeutic benefits of music, or how it can be a huge comfort to people as they navigate difficult situations. This is common knowledge. But I know Ryan has been in a dark place, and being able to listen to music and maintain that connection to art and the outside world has been invaluable to him. Tristan und Isolde- Prelude to Act I is his favorite piece.

Air date: May 28, 2024

Violin Sonata in A: Movement 1, Cesar Franck

Suggested by Annalise in Portland, Oregon

This entire sonata, but especially the first movement, is one piece of music I will never tire of hearing. It always makes me stop what I’m doing, pay attention to the achingly lovely melody and creative modulations, and enter into the conversation between the piano and violin.

Air date: May 27, 2024

Saving Private Ryan: Hymn to the Fallen, John Williams

Suggested by Jack in Portland, Oregon

In the U.S. Memorial day is often thought of as the beginning of the summer and is celebrated with cooking on the grill and having backyard parties... as a time to relax and be with friends and relatives. However there is a grim side to this holiday that is too often overlooked: it is a holiday honoring our men and women killed in war. I ask that Hymn to the Fallen be played on Memorial day in honor of all the soldiers, sailors, marines, air force, and coast guard men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. This hymn by John Williams was part of the musical score for Steven Spielberg's film, Saving Private Ryan, and is a beautiful remembrance of those men and women who died on D-Day and during WW II. My dad was in the U.S. Army in WW II as part of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe. He fought in the European Theatre of Operations under General Bradly. Like most of those soldiers he would not talk about the war. What they saw and experienced was a horror that most of us have fortunately not had to experience. They were part of what Franklin Roosevelt called The Greatest Generation. That generation is almost gone now. I ask that we give remembrance and honor these men and women who died in that war as well as all other wars the U.S. has fought. May we never forget their sacrifice.

Air date: May 24, 2024

To A Wild Rose, Edward MacDowell

Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon

I played this beautiful piece as part of a piano recital at rest home. It's scary playing in front of a bunch of people even though they appreciated it.

Air date: May 23, 2024

1812 Overture, Peter Tchaikovsky

Suggested by Rita in Happy Valley, Oregon

When I first heard this piece of music I felt so many emotions, a mix of pride and sadness. Being an immigrant from Iraq this piece always reminded me of how much I've been through from the war in Iraq to coming here. THANK YOU 89.9 for your amazing station.

Air date: May 22, 2024

Cello Suite No.1: Prelude, J.S. Bach

Suggested by Mike in Portland, Oregon

John King was one of the instructors at the Portland Ukulele festivals in the early 2000's. Many of us had the opportunity to take lessons from him and learn some of his skills using the campanella technique in classical ukulele. Unfortunately, he died at a young age and left a great void for us uke players and lovers of all uke music both Hawaiian and classical. I've heard some of his works in the past on All Classical, and would love to hear more.

Air date: May 20, 2024

Alto Rhapsody, Johannes Brahms

Suggested by Robert in Portland, Oregon

Many years ago, on my 40th birthday, I treated myself to my first solo trip to Alaska, in late August. which is fall in central Alaska. I brought along several classical music cassettes (yes, it was that long ago). On one side was Brahms' Symphony 2 and the other side were Brahms' Schiksalslied (Song of Destiny,) Gesang der Parzen, and the Alto Rhapsody. I had enjoyed the symphony but rarely turned the tape over to hear the choral music ... until one incredibly memorable late afternoon when I drove the Denali Highway, a 135 mile (then mostly) gravel road between Cantwell and Paxson. As far as I can remember, I never passed anyone - I was the only person on that lonely road as the afternoon light faded.

To the north, across the tundra plain, lit by a golden light was the magnificent Alaska Range, partly obscured by clouds, in shades of grey, blue, purple and snowy white. All around me was the vast Alaska wilderness. Slowly as the light faded a few starts began to glimmer. There was no sign of humanity - except the road itself. As I drove east I played the Schicksalied, Gesang der Parzen and the Alto Rhapsody, which seemed to capture my mood - a bit of lonely melancholy, but also joy, awe and reverence for nature. The symphony and all three choral works are now deeply associated with that first Alaska experience. My request is to hear the Alto Rhapsody, which most closely captured the shifting moods of shadow and light, melancholy reverence, and joy

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