Meaning of Vallee d'Obermann

[chucknich]

I enjoy this song, but does anyone know what it means in particular? I know the english translation is Valley of Obermann (upper man?), but is that an actual place? A mythical place? Any ideas or theories?

[iumonito]

There is text at the begining.  This is from a quick google search so it may not be accurate.  anyone cares to translate?  Try this link too:  https://www.answers.com/topic/senancour-tienne-pivert-de

Le héros, Oberman, est un jeune homme en proie à un profond mal de vivre : à vingt ans, désenchanté de tout, il est consumé par un incurable ennui. Il quitte précipitamment Paris pour la Suisse et découvre la « beauté sublime » de la montagne. A la recherche d'un absolu que le monde d'ici-bas ne peut lui offrir, Oberman, « l'homme des hauteurs » (telle est la signification de son nom), entre en quelque sorte en extase sur les cimes des hautes montagnes, seul, « dans l'immobilité silencieuse ». Un sentiment de paix et d'éternité l'envahit. Lorsqu'il redescend dans la vallée, il retrouve « la longue chaîne des sollicitudes et des ennuis ». Rappelé à Paris pour affaires, il se rend dans la forêt de Fontainebleau qui l'a tant enchanté dans son enfance, mais cette terre de plaine n'a plus le pouvoir de le satisfaire désormais. Six années ont passé et Oberman n'a toujours rien fait, ne se décidant à choisir ni un état, ni une femme, ni un lieu pour vivre, ne sachant que vouloir. A quoi d'ailleurs cela lui servirait-il ? La mort qui anéantit toute chose rend tout effort stérile et inutile... Le livre touche à sa fin : Oberman retourne en Suisse après avoir reçu un héritage. Il s'installe à Imenstrom, lieu , imaginaire réunissant les bienfaits de la montagne et de la plaine. Il y goûtera un certain bien-être, dans un confort rustique, vivant au rythme de la nature. Il prend la résolution d'écrire. Son ami d'enfance viendra le rejoindre et partagera sa solitude.

Etienrle Pivert de Senancour's "Obermann" (1804)

[chucknich]

interesting

[TheHammer]

The hero, Oberman, is a young man, facing a deep life crisis: with 20 years, disappointed of everything, he is sickened by an incomparable weariness. He leaves Paris hastily for Switzerland, and discovers the "sublime beauty" of the mountains. Searching a certain "absolute" the world down here cannot offer him, Oberman, "the man of the heights (?)" (that's the meaning of his name, /so indeed Upper-man), enters (?) some sort of extasy at the peaks of the high mountains, alone, in silent immobility. A feeling of peace and eternity flows through him. As he comes down into the valley again, he has to face the "long chain of solicitudes and wearinesses" anew. Called back to Paris for business, he betakes himself to the forest of Fontainbleau, which has bewitched him so much in his childhood, but this plain has no longer the power to satisfy him form that time on. Six years have passed and Obermann has done nothing, not able to decide neither for a state, nor a women, nor a place to live, not knowing what he wants. What, after all, is the use of this? Death, which annihilates everything, makes every effort useless and fruitless...
The book comes to an end: Oberman returns to Switzerland after having inherited something. He settles down at Imenstrom, a place, unifying the advantages of both the mountains and the plains. He enjoys a certain affluence, in a comfort rustical, living according to the rythm of nature. He decides to start writing. His friend from his childhood come to join him and to share his solitude.



Not sure and several passages, and translated mostly "word-by-word", but I am too lazy to make a good English text out of it.

[rhapsody1234]

Thanks for the translation.
I am currently learning this piece and it is a great one. Love it !