Why bach compose Well-Tempered Clavier?

Answer 1

Bach wrote the Well-Tempered Clavichord (in German,

Das Wohltempierte Klavier) to show the world his well temperament method of tuning. Rumors have persisted over time that he was a proponent of equal temperament (what we use today); however, it is called the Well-Tempered Clavichord, not the Equal-Tempered Clavichord.

Bach wrote in each of the 24 keys as a guide for composing in the various keys in well temperament. His genius allowed the pieces in this set to each sound wonderful, even though they were all written in different keys and subject to the irregularities of well temperament.

Answer 2

Johann Sebastian Bach wrote the Well Tempered Clavier for his students as a series of exercises in counterpoint. Each two volumes of this work contains 24 preludes and fugues, in the key signatures chromatically starting from C major, and major, minor keys alternately.

Answer 3

book 1 was composed in Weimar/Cöthen, and book 2 was composed in Leipzig

Answer 4

Wherever he happened to be at the time. Bach wrote continuously, and very rapidly. He even wrote when he was briefly imprisoned for three weeks (the charge? Wanting to look for another job!).

Answer 5

Because he wanted to celebrate the new tuning system.

Answer 6

Bach's famous Prelude and Fugues book one was composed 1722, and Book Two was composed 20 years later in Leipzig.