Fantasia on a Christmas Carol is based on the ever popular carol O Come, All Ye Faithful, but it also employs Bach's Sheep May Safely Graze melodies from Cantata BMV 208. The idea for this work came as I was on my way to do a little Christmas shopping. The classical music station was playing a beautiful version of Sheep May Safely Graze, with a chamber ensemble of guitars, woodwinds, and stings. Being in the Christmas spirit, I couldn't help but think how similar the chords were to O Come, All Ye Faithful. In my mind, I could hear the Christmas carol in Bach's masterpiece. And so the idea for this work was born.
