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.

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.
From Tim:
In the late-70's I was a young electronics engineer working in Silicon Valley. A musician since I was 12, for some diversion from high tech I was playing oboe/English horn with a 90 piece quality community orchestra in San Mateo, California; a good ensemble with a fine sound. We had just completed an all Beethoven concert (Egmont Overture, Symphony #7 and Piano Concerto #4). Our piano soloist was a recent conservatory graduate who had won some local competition. I didn't hear much of his reading of the 4th since I was busy playing but I was excited when he came back on stage and announced the Waldstein as his encore. (I also play the piano and the Waldstein has always been among the most challenging pieces for me.)
Christa, I tell you, this young pianist must have been channeling the great Ludwig Van himself that night. I have never before or since heard that sonata played so well, with such intensity, joy and passion. He was not a big kid and in the third movement during the unbelievably difficult strettos (stretti?) he was literally coming up off the piano bench; the grin on his face was epic. As he thundered to the finale, everyone in the hall, both on and off stage, sat in stunned silence for at least 5 full seconds before erupting into a delirious standing ovation that went on for several minutes.
It's been almost 50 years and I regret that I lost the program and I can't remember his name but I still remember that performance and I hope he went on to a brilliant career. And that is why I still go to live concerts!
From Joshua:
I love this sonata! The grandeur, the moodiness... and then it bursts forward with that repeated triumphal pattern in the right hand with the magical “third hand” trill. I first heard it in college and it stops me dead in my tracks every time I hear it.