The Nice - Ars Longa Vita Brevis (2025) [Hi-Res]

The Nice began as P. P. Arnold's backing band and quickly established themselves as one of Immediate Records' most successful bands and were known for their spectacular stage show.

Led by the flamboyant and classically trained Keith Emerson, the group pioneered the classic progressive rock sound that Emerson would take to worldwide success with his supergroup ELP in the 1970s.

When it came time to record their second album "Ars Longa Vita Brevis" ("it means 'Art lives long and life is short' - I think" - as Emerson helpfully tried to explain at the time), The Nice shrank to a trio following the departure of guitarist David O'List.

The new album marked a shift in the group's musical direction, away from mainstream rock and towards classical music. It contained imaginative rock arrangements of the Intermezzo from Sibelius' "Karelia Suite" and an adaptation of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos, "Brandenburger", which Immediate released as a single.

Released in November 1968, the album received rave reviews - Melody Maker described it at the time as "a major breakthrough in pop group experimentation". The complex and ambitious title track took up the entire second side and featured the brass and string sections of the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Tracklist:
1-1 The Nice - Daddy, Where Did I Come From [3:44]
1-2 The Nice - Little Arabella [4:19]
1-3 The Nice - Happy Freuds [3:29]
1-4 The Nice - Intermezzo from The Karelia Suite [8:59]
1-5 The Nice - Don Edito El Gruva [0:13]
1-6 The Nice - Ars Longa Vita Brevis Prelude [1:50]
1-7 The Nice - 1st Movement: Awakening [4:03]
1-8 The Nice - 2nd Movement: Realisation [4:39]
1-9 The Nice - 3rd Movement: Acceptance “Brandenburger” [4:42]
1-10 The Nice - 4th Movement: Denial [3:24]
1-11 The Nice - Coda-Extension To The Big Note [0:47]