Why no D flat major for Bach?

[thaicheow]

Hi,
I am writing my programme notes on Bach WTC, which I realise that he actually didn't write (at least in his WTC) any prelude and fugue in D flat major. Instead he used the enharmonic C# major.

Can any one tell me why? Is it because of the tuning system? Or just Bach's personal preference? Did he write other work in D flat major? Is D flat major only regular among romantic composers?

Thanks.

[Kassaa]

Hi,
I am writing my programme notes on Bach WTC, which I realise that he actually didn't write (at least in his WTC) any prelude and fugue in D flat major. Instead he used the enharmonic C# major.

Can any one tell me why? Is it because of the tuning system? Or just Bach's personal preference? Did he write other work in D flat major? Is D flat major only regular among romantic composers?

Thanks.

He also didn't write in Eb minor, but D# minor instead. I think it' is indeed a matter of personal preference.

Beethoven used Db major in the second movement of the Appassionata though.

[pianohenry]

for some reason i never see pieces written in D flat MINOR or C sharp MAJOR - i always see D flat MAJOR or c sharp minor.... like chopin nocturne 20, or the c sharp minor waltz, or hungarian rhapsody no 2. all c sharp minor not d flat minor and chopin raindrop prelude - d flat major (i think)

dont know why though

[mike_lang]

He also didn't write in Eb minor, but D# minor instead. I think it' is indeed a matter of personal preference.

Isn't the Prelude from the WTC Book I in Eb Minor, with Fugue in D# Minor?

ML

[berrt]

for some reason i never see pieces written in D flat MINOR or C sharp MAJOR

dont know why though

It does not make much sense to write in keys with 7 or more sharps or flats.

B.

[soliloquy]

I never see A Sharp Major :O


lol

[jlh]

I never see A Sharp Major :O


lol

...or B-sharp Major or E-sharp Major.    wonder why that is...

[thalberg]

Because they'd have more than seven sharps so some notes would be double sharp, right?  It's late at night and I'm not thinkging.

[pianistimo]

he was directionally thinking (rotating to the right) and taking each key 1/2 step up?  he could have moved to the left.  perhaps in baroque times - it also implied making the piece sound 'peppy' and slightly sharp - rather than sadly flat.

[mikey6]

Each key has it's own character.  D#min is different to ebmin, it's hard to explain why, but I would say that is why he chose each key.