The sixth Symphony Concert, given last night in Sanders Theatre, was exceedingly interesting and enjoyable. The work of Mrs. Nikisch, the soloist of the, evening, is too well known in Cambridge and Boston to call for special comment

The first number on the program was Beethovens Symphony No. 8 in F. sometimes called the "little" symphony. Beethoven was in a quiet Austrian town when he composed it, in one of the dreariest periods of his life. Yet the Symphony contains more of the light and lively element than any of the other eight. The first movement has very little complexity of theme and is comparatively simple in detail. The second movement is the finest of the four though the end is surprising and perhaps disappointing. The minuet movement is certainly disappointing, Berlioz says of it, "somewhat ordinary." The finale, however, assumes again the character of most of Beethoven's work.

Mrs. Nikisch sang the "Fata Morgana" from Nicode's Symphonic Poem "The Sea." Her singing was delightful. Third on the program came Bizet's Suite, "L' Arlesienne" No. 1. The opening movement is a swinging march with the air by the cellos and a peculiar counter theme in the wood wind. In the second movement the flutes carry the air with an accompaniment by the violins and a sort of echo by the harp. Toward the end the whole orchestra works up to a climax and then softens and ends with a pianissimo passage. In the third movement there are some very difficult parts for the flute. The fourth is quiet in the first theme and ends in a burst of sound from the whole orchestra.

After Mrs. Nikisch had sung a group of songs the orchestra played Handel's familiar "Largo." The air is taken up by the French horns with harp accompaniment. Then the solo violin takes the air and finally all the violins end with a great fortissimo passage. Though the Largo is familiar, the audience became unusually enthusiastic, and forced Mr. Nikisch to repeat part of it.

The last number was Wagner's Overture "The Flying Dutchman." This was the first work in which the composer attempted to characterize persons by fixed musical phrases. The familiar story of the poor mariner who was doomed to wander over the ocean in endless misery is well illustrated by the progress of the Overture. The conflicts in his mind as well as the conflicts in the elements about him are pictured very vividly by the variety of themes and the manner in which they are worked out. The Overture is a fine piece of music picturing.