Her majesty, the queen of sounds: Cultural sustainability and heritage in organ craftsmanship and music

Abstract Organ craftsmanship and music are inextricably linked with each other. In Germany, a particularly rich symbiosis between craftspeople, composers, performing artists has evolved over the centuries. recognizing transmission of this intangible cultural know-how from generation to generation, United Nations Educational, Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed organ together in Representative List Intangible Heritage Humanity 2017. This article elucidates how inscription influences perception self-concept music, both theoretic-intellectual virtual terms. Complementing qualitative content analysis literature documents, narrative first-hand accounts/expert interviews craftspeople/organ builders have been conducted interpreted. Taking into account dual nexus sustainability heritage, sustainable value creation, substantial claims, multi-perspective visibility, facilitative reassurance were analyzed assessed vis-à-vis music. Including UNESCO’s demonstrates an appreciation for creation related quadruple bottom-line – that is, addressing economic, environmental, societal aspects, including culture as fully integrated dimension; claims rights safeguarding invoking/activating heritage; enhances visibility organists, assigned builders, frequent practitioners, nominated experts; enables passion self-positioning