In 1729, Bach took over the direction of the "Collegium musicum" in Leipzig, which had once been founded by Telemann, and subsequently gave concerts with this ensemble at least once a week in Zimmermann's coffee house or, in summer, in the coffee garden belonging to it. Bach's famous coffee cantata is one of the compositions that were probably written for the performances there. The cantata is only superficially about daughter Liesgen's coffee addiction, but is actually also about her strict father Schlendrian's attempts to educate her, which ultimately remain ineffective - but only in Bach's cantata. In Picander's printed libretto, it still looks as if Schlendrian can prevail and it is only in the text of Bach's cantata, which is extended by two movements, that the point is reversed. Do Bach's experiences as a father come into play here?
