Both concertos receive performances of strong personality and an impressive eloquence—and, it goes without saying, altogether impeccable technique. I see that in his first review EG found them ''if anything rather inflated, with expressive points consistently underlined'', which was very much my feeling about his recent account of the Sibelius Concerto (DG 419 618-1GH; CD 419 618-2GH, 8/87). I don't feel that to be the case here—at least not to anywhere near the same extent and I was less disturbed by the forward balance than EG. There is repose in the slow movement of the Mendelssohn, and I much admire the Bruch, too, though Mintz does not have quite the restraint or nobility of Cho-Liang Lin's CBS record with the same orchestra under Leonard Slatkin, which EG praised so warmly. All the same, both qualities are present here and there is playing of warmth and vitality from the Chicago orchestra under Abbado. Recommended.'