Johann Friedrich Agricola facts for kids

Johann Friedrich Agricola (born January 4, 1720 – died December 2, 1774) was a talented German musician. He was a composer (someone who writes music), an organist (who plays the organ), a singer, and a teacher. He also wrote many important things about music. Sometimes, he used a secret pen name, Flavio Anicio Olibrio.

Life of Johann Friedrich Agricola

Agricola was born in a place called Dobitschen, in Germany.

Studying Music

When he was a student in Leipzig from 1738 to 1741, he studied law. But he also learned a lot about music from the famous Johann Sebastian Bach.

In 1741, Agricola moved to Berlin. There, he continued to study how to write music with Johann Joachim Quantz. Soon, people recognized him as one of the best organ players of his time.

Working for the King

Agricola wrote a funny opera called Il filosofo convinto in amore. It was performed in Potsdam in 1750 and was a big hit! Because of this success, he was hired as a court composer for Frederick the Great, who was the King of Prussia.

In 1759, when the conductor Carl Heinrich Graun passed away, Agricola took his place. He became the conductor of the royal orchestra.

Agricola married a famous singer named Benedetta Emilia Molteni. She also worked at the court. The king did not want his court employees to marry each other. Because they got married anyway, the king reduced their combined salaries. Agricola's salary alone used to be 1,500 Thalers, but after they married, their combined salary became 1,000 Thalers. Agricola passed away in Berlin when he was 54 years old.

Agricola's Musical Legacy

Agricola wrote many Italian operas. He also composed Lieder (German songs), chorale preludes (music for church hymns), and other pieces for keyboard instruments and church services. These included oratorios and cantatas. However, he is best known for his writings and ideas about music.

As a Writer

In 1754, Agricola worked with Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach to write an obituary (a notice about someone's death) for J. S. Bach.

In 1757, Agricola wrote a book called Anleitung zur Singekunst. This book was his translation of an older book about singing by Pier Francesco Tosi. Agricola added many of his own detailed comments to it.

He also helped edit a book called Musica mechanica organoedi in 1768. He added lots of notes to this book too. His notes are very important because they tell us about J. S. Bach's thoughts on instruments like the fortepiano (an early piano) and the lute-harpsichord. They also give us information about how organs were built back then.

As a Music Copyist

Agricola is also known for being one of the people who copied important musical works by Bach. He helped copy both books of the Well-Tempered Clavier and the famous St. Matthew Passion.

As a Composer

Agricola wrote many different kinds of music.

Keyboard Music

• Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen
• Harpsichord Sonata in F major

Organ Music

• Jesu, meine Freude
• Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott
• O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort

Chamber Music

• Flute Sonata in A major

Vocal Music

• A la mignonne de fortune (song)
• 6 Canzonettes

Choral Music

• Die Hirten bei der Krippe (cantata for voices, chorus & orchestra)
• Magnificat in D major

Operas

• Alessandro nell'Indie (1754)
• Achille in Sciro (1765)

See also

In Spanish: Johann Friedrich Agricola para niños