Contemporary Iranian art music is a genre within the contemporary music landscape in Iran and the Iranian diaspora. Several compositional styles are identifiable in this genre, which has roots in Iranian and Western musical traditions. Based on the historical tradition, one of these styles represents a post-1979 Iranian revolution musical renaissance in which the Dastgāh-Maqām system serves as a structural framework for composition.

Although a significant amount of repertoire for Western flute exists within the broader musical contexts of contemporary Iranian art music, it is uncommon to encounter flute compositions based on the Dastgāh-Maqām system. The exception is the flute music of Reza Vali, whose intercultural blending of Western and Iranian musical traditions has garnered international acclaim. Vali’s works for flute, particularly those influenced by the Dastgāh-Maqām system, require the performer to mediate between two distinct modes of musical thinking, which has implications relating to authenticity in performance.

This investigation explores the concept of culturally informed performance practice and interpretation in the flute music of Vali, with an emphasis on his repertoire influenced by the Dastgāh-Maqām system. It provides a musical analysis of the studied works, focusing on Iranian musical practices that present challenges for the Western-trained flautist. The investigation considers the interpretation of Iranian musical traditions and offers solutions for culturally informed performance preparation.

This research is situated in the artistic research paradigm.