John Harrison, 1693-1776, was a pioneer in the development of Clock making. His achievements include the Grandfather, or Longcase clock, the Iron Grid Pendulum and solving the problem of Longitude and time- zones to perfect the Marine Chronometer. His path was not always easy and it took great effort and tenacity to receive due recognition at age of 80 from King George 3rd.

The bass quartet reflects the shifting consciousness of different aspects of time as it impacts on human life and Harrison's relationship with it. It opens mysteriously, depicting the timelessness of the Universe and natural rhythms of creation and nature and then reflects a more human awareness of this nebulous quality of time and shifting to a need for some definition to meet human needs.

A gentle Latin-American song and dance rhythm heralds the formation of a more orderly expectation. This develops into a more turbulent and unsettled episode portraying the great lengths to which Harrison went to perfect his designs to overcome the management of world time differences.

Eventually his Marine Chronometer was put to the test on the high seas by his son William and no less than Captain Cook! The mood finally becomes more settled and celebratory, in reflection of Harrison's eventual recognition by the King, and matching wealth.