If Music Be The Food Of Love: SATB Choral Octavo

This setting of Shakespeare's text avoids the trap of oversimplification while remaining genuinely singable. Clausen finds the lyrical heart in familiar words without resorting to obvious harmonic choices, giving choirs something substantive to sink their voices into.

The music unfolds with contemplative grace, letting the famous opening of Twelfth Night settle into the listener's ear without rushing. There is warmth in the harmonic language and sophistication in the voice leading that rewards careful listening.

Intermediate to advanced SATB choirs seeking concert or festival repertoire with literary depth. This works equally well for college ensembles, strong high school choirs, and community groups looking for something with substance.

• Balance the text clarity with the harmonic colors Clausen provides; too much attention to diction will flatten the phrasing, but too much lyricism will obscure the Shakespeare.
• Shape the piece with awareness of its dramatic arc rather than treating it as a static mood painting; there is real movement beneath the surface.
• Let the sopranos breathe without hurrying their line, as they carry significant melodic responsibility throughout.

Pair this with other Shakespeare settings or use it as a centerpiece for a concert exploring love songs across genres and centuries. Its nine pages make it substantial enough to anchor a set without dominating an entire program.

• Lyrical phrasing in SATB writing
• Balancing text intelligibility with harmonic expression
• Reading Clausen's characteristic harmonic language and voice leading
• Sustaining musical line through carefully placed cadential points