More than simple folk songs

Her soprano is unmistakable, clear as a bell and slender and soars effortlessly to any height: a vocal jewel. Regula Mühlemann's interpretations in opera, mass and lieder are characterized by flawless technique and a high level of musicality. What is also particularly impressive about the Swiss soprano is the foresight with which she pursues her career. The naturalness of her appearance is transferred to her voice in a unique way, and she does not allow herself to be pushed into spheres that could harm her voice.

The songs of the homeland published by Sony stand for the unconventionality of this path: who has heard of Baumgartner, Langer, Flury or Roesgen-Champion, whose songs she presents here in excerpts. Five languages are used - High German, dialect, Italian, French and Romansh - all with perfect diction. The composition and sequence of the songs on offer is cleverly balanced, ranging from Guggisberg song to the teasing La pastorella dell'Alpi by Rossini.

The care she devotes to Swiss songs is particularly impressive. The selection also shows the support of "archive master" Walter Labhart, who opened up his immense collection to Mühlemann. There is much to discover: Wilhelm Baumgartner's The days of roses are still are ideally tailored to Mühlemann's youthful freshness; in Young girl in the mountains by Emil Frey, the accomplished opera singer flits past with her clever use of harmonic finesse.

The two impressionistic French songs by Marguerite Roesgen-Champion are a new facet that is increasingly becoming the focus of Mühlemann's work. We can still expect a lot from her in the French repertoire. While she unpacks a broad palette of expressive means in the Swiss songs, one is quietly disappointed by the Schubertian Shepherds on the rockwhich is somewhat lacking in liveliness due to its beautiful singing, which Daniel Ottensamer contributes on the clarinet. With Tatiana Korsunskaya, Mühlemann has an experienced, sensitive pianist at her side.