CPO’s annual tradition of releasing freshly produced alternatives to Bach's Christmas Oratorio during the fall season when Christmas is just around the corner continues with this release of three cantatas by the Bach pupil Johann Agricola (1720-74). + After receiving instruction in composition from Bach, Agricola became a chamber musician and court composer under King Frederick II and later Prussian court chapel master following Carl Graun's death. + His compositions, mainly oratorios, cantatas, songs, and operas, display influence from composers such as Hasse and Graun.