Carl Erik Kühl was born in Copenhagen 1947. He holds degrees in philosophy (University of Aarhus, 1967) music theory (Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus, 1971) and musicology (University of Aarhus, 1973). He carried out ethnomusicological fieldwork in Bosnia in 1973. As a pianist he has performed in chamber music recitals and radio recordings in Norway, Denmark, Germany and Japan. He has also worked as conductor of the Tromsoe Chamber Choir in Norway (1980-84).
