The Five O’Clock Favorite is driven by listener suggestions! We’d love your participation.
Suggestions are easiest to honor if they’re 20 minutes or less.
Suggested by Sandi in Beaverton, Oregon
Suggested by Jeff in Portland, Oregon
We ride our bikes everywhere. Though we've got a driver license, we've not driven an automobile in years and years. But when this incomprehensibly beautiful composition arrives in our ears -- or ear, really; riding a bike we must keep our left ear in the clear -- we are reminded of road trips from times gone by. Motoring along through the countryside where landscapes awe the eye mile after mile, our destination... who cares? This beautiful piece takes us DIRECTLY to that bucolic time and place where "serenity" WAS the destination.
Suggested by John in Gresham, Oregon
I am a violist and the first time I played the seventh was at Tanglewood in 1982. Then I played it for my viola teacher who was the conductor of the Portland Chamber Orchestra, then I played it at least three times with the Newport Symphony (I was with them for 33 years!) I also played it in Bend with the Central Oregon Symphony. It is a very important symphony to me and I've sat in the car often to hear the whole work when it's on the radio.
Suggested by Herb in Portland, Oregon
As a Lutheran pastor, I like this because it expresses Bach's Lutheran theology of grace so well. It's full of joy and comfort.
Suggested by Russell in Portland, Oregon
I was a progressive rock fan as a teenager and Yes was my favorite group. They used the Firebird finale as the opening for their live shows and I used to dig it on their massive 3LP 'Yessongs'.
Suggested by Erika in Portland, Oregon
I've been "rabbit-holing" into the world of contemporary classical music lately and discovered this gem. The whole quartet is wonderful, which each movement having its own charm, but I've found I gravitate toward the first movement, which is inquisitive and energetic.
Suggested by Michael in Portland, Oregon
I first heard this music at age 11 when my dad brought it home on a shellac 78 rpm record set! Those records were fragile, breakable, and I had to use extreme care while playing them. This set did not get broken, but rather played over and over. I fell for it then, and love it still.
Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon
Wouldn't it be amazing to be able to play this piece of music??
Suggested by Valdez in Lake Oswego, Oregon
I grew up watching Mister Rogers. When my daughter was born in 2008, I purchased some DVDs of the program, so she could watch Mister Rogers just like I did. One of the shows featured Mister Rogers learning about brass instruments and how they were made - and the show features the Empire Brass Quintet performing “Central Park Morning.” It’s a lovely song and it always stuck with me. I hope others did it as soothing and beautiful as we do.
Suggested by Richard in Chandler, Arizona (but always an Oregonian)
For many years my wife and I had season tickets to the Oregon Symphony concerts. On one occasion, the guest soloist was Frederica von Stade, who had a beautiful soprano voice. In her part of the program, she sang many gorgeous songs, but one that I had never heard before called "Bailero" stood out. It was so heavenly... I sat with my mouth open, smiling at the beauty, when I felt something on my face. My brain had heard this beauty and sent a tear down my face. That piece of music is one of the most beautiful ever written.
Suggested by Kent in Beavercreek, Oregon
I began to like classical music as a high school student, but wasn't particularly appreciative of Baroque music until college, when a friend played me her album of Bach's music sung a capella by a group called the Swingle Singers. Their rendition of his music "got to me," and turned my interests to some really great music I might have otherwise ignored. I would love to hear one of their Bach arrangements on 5 O'Clock Favorite!
Suggested by Jeff in Portland, Oregon
This is an early piece in three short movements that was written in March 1892 and enjoyed a public premiere in 1896. For good reason it's one of Elgar's most popular compositions. From movement to movement, Elgar's "Serenade For Strings" presents an indescribably beautiful world of serenity. This music has always brought us peace.
Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon
I played this at a piano recital at a retirement home like a thousand years ago. It's beautiful.
Suggested by Lance in Portland, Oregon
This piece of music is nothing short of beautiful!
Suggested by Marie in Portland, Oregon
There are countless beautiful versions of this tune, but my favorite is this one, sung by a wordless choir. (The Cambridge Singers.)
Suggested by Jeff in Portland, Oregon
Modest Mussorgsky never fails to impress. His ten movement work, "Pictures at an Exhibition" is no exception. We were introduced to this extraordinary work at an early age by a loved brother who gave us the cassette, which we played so often the tape stretched and, sadly, became unusable. Thanks in advance for selecting this as a 5:00 Favorite, because Lord knows we'll never play THAT tape again. A million thanks, Christa, for everything you do to keep our spirits high, our mind grounded and our soul satisfied!!
Suggested by Martha in Portland, Oregon
This is just a fun and whimsical piece that is new to me. I have no other special reason other than it struck a chord in my heart and mind!
Suggested by John in Portland, Oregon
It speaks of the struggles of Life, our desires to cling to the spirits of Heaven, and of the Lord.
Suggested by Pie in Portland, Oregon
When I lived in Chelan, I went on a mini vacation to a place 52 miles up the lake with no electricity or modern day amenities. At dusk, I remember watching the bats emerge into the sky. It was a beautiful evening. This piece makes me think of that night.
Suggested by Neil in Portland, Oregon
Just wanted to share one of my favorite pieces! Enjoy!
This is in honor of my high school band director in West Linn, Mr. Jeff Cumpston, who passed away much too young in a vehicle accident in 2009. He led our symphonic band in playing The Moldau, explaining how the swell of the music invokes floating down a Bohemian river past forests, castles, and even a farmer's wedding in a field. Whenever I hear this piece on All Classical I'm filled with nostalgia and catch a glimpse of our conductor leading us with passion through the music. Thank you for playing this in honor of him. He inspired so many of us.