On 5 August 1717 Bach’s appointment as Kapellmeister at the court of Prince Leopold of Cöthen was confirmed. But leaving his post at Weimar proved difficult, for Bach’s employer, Duke Wilhelm of Saxe-Weimar, was not pleased to be losing his court organist to a job that carried more prestige and more money. Indeed, when Bach asked for his release in more forceful terms, he was imprisoned by the Duke from 6 November until his dismissal in disgrace on 2 December.