Berlin, 1855–1864 II: Marriage to Cosima

Abstract During his first turbulent years in Berlin, Bülow’s private life had under- gone a profound change. In July 1855, barely four months after Franziska von Bülow had joined him in the Prussian capital, the household was transformed by the arrival of Liszt’s two daughters, Blandine and Cosima, who took up residence there as well. Blandine was nineteen years old and Cosima was two years her junior. They were alive with energy and hu- mour, and they filled the apartments on Wilhelmstrasse with their laugh- ter. The active minds and boisterous behaviour of these two young women posed a constant threat to the strict domestic routine which Franziska liked to impose on her son. Bülow was entranced by both girls, and referred to them affectionately as ‘the Erlking’s daughters’. At Liszt’s request he gave them piano lessons, and was particularly impressed with Cosima’s ac- complished playing; she already performed the standard sonatas of Bee- thoven and a variety of compositions by Chopin with confidence.