 "Midwinter Graces" began as a suggestion by Doug Morris, chairman and chief executive officer of "Universal Music Group", who, according to Amos, encouraged her to tackle and complete the project at a moment's notice, in March 2009.After a summer of writing original material and rearranging established hymns and carols for the album, Amos, while still on the road for her 2009 world tour, began recording.Portions of the album were recorded in her husband's recording studio, "Martian Studios", in Cornwall, England, while other sessions were held in Studio City and Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Toronto.