Its world premiere was given by the Hallé Orchestra conducted by Sir Mark Elder at Bridgewater Hall on 23 May 2013.
The composition was partially inspired by a poem by D. H. Lawrence "Week-night Service," about which Grime wrote in the score program note, "Its melancholic undertones, images of tolling bells, high-spun moon and the indifference of night, immediately struck a chord with me.
[1] Fiona Maddocks of The Guardian praised Near Midnight, among other Grime compositions, remarking, "The writing is finely textured, dense but airy, ornamental but never decorative.
"[2] Catherine Reese Newton of the Utah Arts Review also praised the piece, writing, "The prevailing mood was reflective and melancholy, but Near Midnight doesn't depict a silent night; clear woodwinds and rustling strings suggested the stirring of birds and other creatures, and periodic brass outbursts depicted the tolling of bells.
He added, "She orchestrates with the sharpness and precision befitting great ears but the total effect here was of a latter-day Firebird, exotic and fantastical but in the end merely cosmetic.