When he assumed the position as Thomaskantor (director of church music) in Leipzig in 1723, he began the project to write church cantatas for the occasions of the liturgical year – Sundays and feast days – a project that he pursued for three years.
Cando asumiu o cargo de Thomaskantor (director de música da igrexa) en Leipzig en 1723, comezou o proxecto de escribir cantatas de igrexa para os eventos do ano litúrxico —domingos e días festivos.