Influential jazz pianist and composer Bill Evans was known for his rich harmonic approach reminiscent of impressionist composers Debussy and Ravel. A particular favorite is his piece, Time Remembered, which I studied extensively and arranged for solo vibraphone. Time Being (composed 2012) utilizes two harmonic sequences from Time Remembered, consisting of just nine chords, to generate all of the material in the piece. My goal was to explore the melodic and harmonic potential of these chords while using the dramatic concept of the sonata form to develop and transform two contrasting thematic ideas.
The title is not only a reference to Bill Evans’ composition, but also a possible description of a percussionist and a statement of the importance of living in the moment.
