Igor Stravinsky-In Memorium Dylan Thomas: Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night (1954) - Peter Alexander Neumayer tenor - Columbia Chamber Ensemble - Igor Strvisnsky

Igor Stravinsky set one of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas' poems for his memorial piece,which he conducted himself.The Coumbia Chamber Ensemble was called that from 1962-1971,when it was associated with Columbia University in New York.It is now called The Group for Contemporary Music.

Pascal Rogé — “Clair de Lune”, Claude Debussy - YouTube - from Suite Bergamasque - Steinway Hall,New York

March 26th - Contrition Vespers Archbishop Elpidophoros of America - service starts at 19:00 - Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Resurrection,Brookville,New York

Orthodox Christian Studies Center - Fordham University

Rupert Murdoch's Landmark Penthouse

Australian media magnate Rupert Murdoch,83,has purchased the top four floors of One Madison Avenue,including the triplex penthouse and unit below,for 57.25 million dollars,a transaction described by seller Related Companies Inc as being a milestone achievement for One Madison and the downtown market.It is the most expensive downtown apartment in New York history.
The triplex plus the unit below total more than 10,000 square feet.The nearly 7,000 square foot penthouse features five bedrooms,five-and-a-half baths,a wraparound 596 square foot terrace,spiral staircase and internal elevator.It has brilliant views of the New York City skyline,the Hudson and East Rivers and One World Trade Center through its floor to ceiling glass.*
The building's amenities for the divorced billionaire include a lap pool,spa and fitness center.Murdoch's old Fifth Avenue penthouse went to former wife Wendi Deng in the divorce settlement.*
Murdoch is founder of News Corporation,21st Century Fox,Fox News Channel,FOX-British Sky Broadcasting and STAR India.*
News Corporation(NWS)

AIG Makes Strong Effort;AIA Spinoff Prospers

We are now putting in a concerted effort to reestablish AIG throughout the world,said CEO Robert Benmosche.We have AIU and American Home in Japan,as well as Lexington on the commercial side.
The US government was an excellent partner.It was only difficult when we dealt with compensation.We always are looking at market data.You want to be competitive.We've had a very good relationship with the Treasury and the Federal Reserve.
We are attracting and keeping talent.In property casualty 2012,we didn't achieve our profit goals.We made great progress,but were down moderately from target.Sales of fixed annuities came down.They came in at the mid-eighties,rather than one.
I think I make a lot of money-about 10.5 million.It pays the bills.It's good.Pay didn't cause the crisis.When you lose 100 billion,you're entitled to take those losses and offset future taxes.That's the law-nothing special for AIG.
We are hiring and we are going to continue to hire.We want to be able to take a lap internally.We have centers set up around the country and world in low cost locations.We see our headcount going up,and our expenses going down.
All along ,we've been thinking about business continuity,hardening our technology and where we put our people.New York is a huge center of capabilities around data mining to help us underwrite our insurance better.
I'm feeling very good,although my diagnosis was pretty rough and the initial chemo didn't work.They found a targeted pill.I'm still negative.They're surprised and pleased,but I still run 3-4 days a week 3 miles at a time.
We'll go through 2014 and they'll take a look at it.I'll be 70,and if I still have the energy to stay on and they want me to,I'd be happy to do it,Mr.Benmosche indicated.
There was a better than expected 89% increase in 2012 net profit at AIA Group Ltd,which was spun off from AIG in October 2010,on market value gains and product improvements.New business was up 27% to a record 1.19 billion dollars.AIA is the third largest Asia-based insurer by market value.
American International Group(AIG),AIA Group Ltd(AAIGF:US)

Shanghai Develops Its Exchange

The Shanghai stock exchange is a growing proposition.It recently introduced stock index futures to its offerings,although it has only one-fifth of the volume of the New York exchanges and still needs a completely convertible currency.Shanghai is seeking to become a global financial center by 2020,and many new skyscrapers and apartment blocks have been built there in the past few years to support that ambition.
Dr.Fang Xinghai,Director General,Office of Financial Services,Shanghai Metropolitan Government,admitted that the Shanghai stock market is still largely closed to outsiders,but it is being opened up gradually.It will be a market of global size.Although it is not open yet,you can still call it a global financial center.The first logical step would be to open up the outflow capital account,so that their savings may be used more efficiently throughout the world.
The British bank HSBC has expressed an interest in selling shares in Shanghai.Initially,it was just financial companies who wanted to list there.Later,manufacturing firms,telecoms and consumer companies all expressed an interest.Even now,the Shanghai exchange is among the leaders in commodities futures,Mr.Fang asserted.

Financial Centres Appraised

The Global Financial Centres Index has been released.The index is based on a statistical model and the opinions of experts.Factors considered include excellence of access,skill level of staff,and proportionality of regulatory regime.The rankings were:1.London,2.New York,3.Hong Kong,4.Singapore and 5.Zurich.Dubai and Shanghai are centres to watch.Singapore is gaining on Hong Kong,and centres at the bottom,such as Moscow,are continuing to climb.