Maximus Musicus finds a home in Harpa

Iceland's most famous musical mouse for the younger generation

The story's author and illustrator are both members of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. The author, Hallfríður Ólafsdóttir, is the principal flutist of the ISO and the illustrator, Þórarinn Már Baldursson, plays the viola. Both have an extensive experience and knowledge of classical music and a burning desire to share it with the younger generation.


"Maximus Musicus is one of those rare books that effortlessly manages to attract
children into the unique
and fascinating world of
the Symphony Orchestra
and thereby bringing
them to the world's
greatest music
- a wonderful achievement!"  - Vladmir Ashkenazy patron of the project.

Maximus Musicus Visits the Orchestra

We follow the tale of the mouse, Maximus Musicus, who by chance finds himself in a concert hall. There he experiences many strange and funny things as well as some wonderful and almost overwhelming sounds as the orchestra rehearses and gives a concert. What an interesting and adventurous turn his life has suddenly taken! Maxi enjoys himself so much that he decides to stay in the concert hall and see what happens the next day. The music was carefully chosen to suit the young audience, Ravel's Bolero, a Fanfare and some galopping encores as well as Maxi's Song.