Inspired by lines from Byron's Childe Harolde, John Thomas's Premier Impromptu, Le Soir is dedicated to the poet's daughter, Augusta Ada, Countess of Lovelace (1815-1852). Best known as a brilliant mathematician, she was also a gifted harpist, and after hearing the twelve-year-old John Thomas play, she became his patron, subsidising his studies at the Royal Academy of Music (1840-1846). As a token of his esteem and his gratitude, John Thomas dedicated many of his published harp solo compositions to her, Le Soir being one of the earliest of these.

Performed by Ben Creighton Griffiths in October 2020.