The Essence of Maqam

Iraqi qanun player and composer Osama Abdulrasol is creating a new composition for the Radiokoor, rooted in the rich tradition of Arab music. Central to the work is the expressive world of maqam—a melodic system from traditional Middle Eastern music that makes use of microtones. In this musical lecture, Abdulrasol, joined by vocalist Khaled Al Hafez, introduces both the audience and the Radiokoor singers to this unique and captivating sound world.

This September session forms the first step in the creative process for A Day in Sound—a new concert series in March 2026, where Abdulrasol’s music will guide listeners through the rhythm of a day, shaped by the expressive world of maqam. Divided into nine parts, each moment bathes in its own atmosphere and energy—from the hush of dawn to the blaze of midday sun, from the warmth of twilight to the depths of night.