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BWV 214 and BWV 201 are secular cantatas dealing with Greek mythology rather than Lutheranism. These works are the closest Bach came to writing opera, though they would have been performed in concert style during his time. BWV 214 was a gift to Maria Josephia, the Queen of Poland and the Electress of Saxony, in honor of her birthday. Three of the movements were later reset for use in the Christmas Oratorio. BWV 201, subtitled “The Contest Between Phoebus and Pan,” portrays a song competition between the characters with King Midas as the judge. Bach uses the story to make fun of music styles he found tedious and unintellectual. Helmuth Rilling conducts this 1996 performance.