“A joyful dispute of the gods” is how Johann Sebastian Bach’s librettist Salomon Franck described the Birthday Cantata for the court of Saxony-Weißenfels, now generally known as the “Hunting Cantata” BWV 208. The work was probably first performed with the composer present on 23 February 1713, Duke Christian’s 31st birthday. On that occasion the choir may have been comprised only of the four soloists, but it can of course be larger. Bach also went on to perform this colorful and varied work, comp...