In January of 2009, as part of the “Internationalen Tagung zum Nürnberger Instrumentenbau“, I was able to present the original Birckholtz trumpet to the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nürnberg as a permanant loan from the church in Belitz. After lengthy discussions with colleagues in the museum collection field, I suggested to the church officials in Belitz that the trumpet, as an irreplaceable cultural treasure, should be given on loan to the instrument collection of the GNM in Nürnberg, where it would be properly cared for and displayed by their highly skilled staff of experts. This collection enjoys a world wide reputation of excellence among musicians and scholars. 

Today the original can be seen at the museum, displayed with a copy in a special case in the musical instrument collection’s main exhibit room. For their decision concerning this instrument, the administration of the church has gained the respect of all of my colleagues in the field, and of musicians everywhere. This entire experience of the Birckholtz trumpet project has been a wonderful example of how we should see our responsibility toward our historical and cultural inheritance.

read on: The Birckholtz-Trumpet: Conclusion