books, e-books, and apps on music for scholars, artists, fans, and children
Maximus Musicus Visits the Orchestra
Publication Date : 15 November 2012
$24.99
Or scroll down to start using the read-aloud iPad edition now!
Maxi mistakes instrument sounds for mouse-eating creatures, and French horn condensation for indoor rain.
View/hear sample (Adobe PDF): 
Description
“Effortlessly manages to attract children into the unique and fascinating world of the world’s greatest music: a wonderful achievement!” —Vladimir AshkenazyE-book edition
iPad edition with read-aloud narration, word-by-word highlighting, and music. Download now $14.99
Requirements: The read-aloud e-book requires iBooks 1.3 or later and iOS 4.2 or later, on an Apple® iPad, iPhone (3G or later), or iPod touch (2nd generation or later). Check out our page on How to use the read-aloud function in Apple’s iBooks on iPad, iPhone, and iTouch.
In the best-selling and award-winning book Maximus Musicus Visits the Orchestra, Iceland’s best-loved mouse discovers the wonders of music and the symphony orchestra in his own joyful and charming manner.
The book, by Hallfrídur Ólafsdóttir and Þórarinn Már Baldursson, of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, tells the tale of the mouse, Maximus Musicus, who by chance finds himself in a concert hall. 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. There he experiences many strange and funny events as well as some wonderful and moving sounds as the orchestral musicians warm up, tune their instruments, rehearse, and finally play the pieces in concert.
The book is illustrated with Þórarinn Már Baldursson’s endearing images and accompanied by an audio CD featuring Stella Arman’s warm and humorous narration, together with music carefully chosen to suit the young audience: Ravel’s Bolero, a Fanfare and some galloping encores as well as Maxi’s own catchy song.
In June 2011 the Maximus Musicus books were honored with selection as Book of the Month by the body in charge of Iceland’s presentation as Guest of Honor at the 2011 Frankfurt Book Fair.
Hallfríđur Ólafsdóttir is principal flutist of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. Haffí has always been a bookworm. In her opinion symphonic music is the coolest thing on earth but she also has fun playing strange old flutes and whistles. She lives in Reykjavik with her husband and two children. The “đ” in Hallfríđur’s name is an Icelandic letter pronounced like the voiced “th”.
Þórarinn Már Baldursson is a violist in the same orchestra. Tóti has been drawing since he was a wee boy. He is also interested in traditional Icelandic culture, and is himself an accomplished bard. The “Þ” in Þórarinn’s name is an Icelandic letter pronounced like the unvoiced “th”. He is married with a young son.
NEWS FLASH Maxi will visit Washington D.C. with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra in March 2012 to perform live at the Kennedy Center’s Nordic Festival! Details at Maxi’s website.
Follow the exploits of Maximus Musicus on Facebook.
5 Reviews
musicwordmedia
~ 12-17-2012 at 11:21:07
This book (and audio cd) was my saving grace this weekend.
I put the cd in after a week with a sick little girl on my hands.
It was the first and only thing to really make her smile. Smile she did. She was as happy as I had seen her for far too many days.
We both love Maximus Musicus. (It’s currently on repeat through my head as I write this, not kidding)
[...]
My thoughts:
A song which they included the music for. How amazing is that?
I love the way they chose to illustrate. Simple illustrations that don’t overwhelm the reader or the page. Yet really draw you in and include you in the story.
Another impressive thing about this book, were all the facts about instruments they included.
You can use the audio cd to read the story and follow along, or read with out the cd. But then you are missing out on all the fantastic music and the really great voices the narrator does.
I love this book. It’s a fantastic way to get children into music. Including sheet music for the character’s song is an added treat.
This is the kind of book that I wish had to have been around when I was much younger and taking music lessons. I honestly think a book like this could have taken me from dreading the classes to enjoying them faster.
I can not recommend this book enough. I am definitely going to be on the look out for more.
Unorthodox Mama on Amazon.com
musicwordmedia
~ 1-7-2013 at 14:51:40
Honored by Independent Publisher magazine as the the best newly released, independently published title in its category received by editorial staff for January 2013. Highlighted Titles “are honored for exhibiting superior levels of creativity, originality, and design and production quality.”
musicwordmedia
~ 1-28-2013 at 17:36:50
The illustrations are lovely, full of humour and tiny details that makes searching the pictures a pleasure to be repeated over again. … The story is a clever device to introduce children to orchestral instruments, music and the conventions of a rehearsal and concert performance.
Trish Simpson-Davis on The Bookbag
musicwordmedia
~ 1-29-2013 at 13:01:43
“The music and storytelling is perfect for my 2 kiddos … A wonderful book that will delight and educate your child, even yourself!”
Jenny Chen, I’m a Full-Time Mummy
musicwordmedia
~ 3-8-2013 at 22:36:56
When a mouse seeks refuge in an orchestra’s practice room, what ensues is a rib- tickling romp with valuable lessons about classical music conveyed without effort or guile. Meet the bassoon, the clarinet, the flute, and their friends and listen to them harmonize. An accompanying CD enriches the experience.
Foreword Reviews, Spring 2013