Bach, Johann Sebastian : Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd

The hunting cantata, the earliest secular cantata of Bach’s which has come down to us, was performed for the birthday of Duke Christian of Saxony-Weissenfels (23February) – according to most recent research very probably in the year 1713. It was later performed again for the birthday of Duke Ernst August of Saxony-Weimar (the co-regent of Duke Wilhelm Ernst).

Bach’s score employs taut musical forms; noteworthy – and entirely characteristic of Bach’s early style – is the dominant role of the continuo in recitatives and arias. The setting is in chamnber music style.