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.