 Following the release of his piano album "Piano Portraits" in 2017, management at Sony Classical Records suggested to Wakeman that he record a follow-up with piano variations of Christmas songs.Wakeman thought it could work at first, but wanted to spend some time thinking about whether such a concept would work.He ultimately agreed to do it, but felt its release needed a gap after "Piano Portraits" and that a string section was needed to complement the arrangements.