21 Grams refers to the hypothesized "weight of the human soul," as described by Dr. Duncan Macdougall in his 1907 medical experiments. Dr. Macdougall conducted several experiments measuring the weight of his patients before, during, and after their deaths. This work is abstractly programmatic in that it follows a general interpretation of seeing what lies beyond our existence on earth, both good and bad. The main themes include an original hymn melody in the style of diatonic chant, and the famous Christian Passion hymn "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded."
Instrumentation:
Player 1 - Glockenspiel, Crotales, Bow
Player 2 - Vibraphone (optional, with motor), Optional Brush
Player 3 - Vibraphone, Bow, Optional Brush
Player 4 - 4.3 Marimba, Optional Brush
Player 5 - 4.3 Marimba, Optional Brush
Player 6 - 4.6 Marimba, Optional Brush
Player 7 - 5.0 Marimba, Optional Brush
Player 8 - 4 Timpani
Player 9 - Piano
Player 10 - Concert Bass Drum, Large Crash Cymbal, Tam-Tam, Triangle, Marching Machine (or Field Drum), Brake Drum
Player 11 - 3 Toms (suggested 16", 14", 12"), Concert Snare Drum, Suspended Cymbal, Crash Cymbal, Bell Tree