Showed a preference for a musical work by Edward (5)
I believe the answer is:
opted
'showed a preference' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'musical work by edward' is the wordplay.
'musical work' becomes 'op' (abbreviation for opus).
'by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'edward' becomes 'ted'.
'op'+'ted'='OPTED'
'for a' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for opted that I've seen before include "Chosen - elected" , "Made choice, selected" , "'Decided on, chose (5)'" , "Plumped (for)" , "Depot (anag.)" .)