Johann Friedrich Agricola

(1720 - 1774)
German composer, organist, singing teacher, and writer on music. He studied
law at the University of Leipzig, 1738-41, simultaneously studying music with J.
S. Bach and later with Quant in Berlin. He became a court composer to
Frederick the Great in 1751 and in 1759 succeeded Graun as director of the royal
opera. Highly regarded as an organist and as a singing teacher. He published
an annotated translation of Tosi's treatise on singing (Anleitung zur Singekunst,
Berlin, 1757), collaborated with C.P. E. Bach on the obituary of J. S. Bach, and
helped to prepare the publication of Adlung's work on organs. Other writings
include an article on melody (published in the Magazin der Musik 2 [1786]),
pamphlets taking up the cause of Italian music against Marpurg's advocacy of
French taste, and a biography of Graun. His own compositions include eleven
Italian operas or other dramatic works produced in Potsdam and Berlin;
German sacred oratorios and cantatas; many songs in the style of the First
Berlin School; keyboard pieces; chorale preludes for organ.