Geschwinde, geschwinde, ihr wirbelnden Winde, BWV 201

It is a dramma per musica, likely composed for a public performance in 1729, around which time its oldest extant printed libretto was published.

The music is scored for SATTBB singers, and a baroque orchestra which includes trumpets, timpani, traversos, oboes, strings and continuo.

[5][6] Likely the work was first performed in Zimmermann's coffeehouse or coffee garden by the Collegium Musicum that had come under Bach's direction in March 1729.

[7][8] According to Philipp Spitta, the cantata is part of the early stages of the controversy between Bach and Johann Adolph Scheibe.

[5][14] The plot of The Contest between Phoebus and Pan, BWV 201, is based on the "Ears of a Donkey" (Latin: Midae aures, lit.

[1][15] Tmolus decides in favour of the charming melody produced by Apollo, a judgement which is contested by Midas, who prefers Pan's rustic sounds.

In the second recitative, Mercury suggests that the two contestants each choose a judge, so Tmolus and Midas are chosen by Phoebus and Pan respectively.

[1][4][19][20] In the fourth recitative, Mercury invites the judges to speak out: Tmolus begins, and sings an aria in favour of Apollo.

Then follows a recitative in which all singers participate: Momus, Mercury, Tmolus and Phoebus reproach Midas his ill judgement.

The last recitative is for Momus, who sends Midas to the woods, declaring he belongs in the company of those who judge too quickly, and invites Phoebus to song.