Maqamat, for solo quarter-tone alto flute, explores a subset of traditional Arabic scales that employ microtonal pitches (the other subset use standard chromatic pitches). The presence of these exotic tones within a scale (or Maqamat in Arabic) always form an intervalic distance of three-quarters of a tone, frequently dividing a minor third into two equal divisions. With the recent development of the quarter-tone alto flute, these microtonal possibilities can be performed with both agility and speed as a result of the extra keys that form part of the instrument?s design. Maqamat attempts to explore and indeed showcase such qualities. This updated version of Maqamat represents a slight reworking of the original 2002 score.

The original version of Maqamat was commissioned by Carla Rees and was first performed by Carla on the 29th August 2002 at St Cyprian's Church, London NW1.