To the listener, a commanding quartet (7)
I believe the answer is:
foremen
'listener a commanding quartet' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.
'to' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'to' could be 'for' and 'for' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'the' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for foremen that I've seen before include "Overseers" , "They supervise other workers" , "Persons in charge" , "Workers' leaders" , "Resembling a bird" .)