Karl Hugo began playing and composing on the piano as a child, creating his first concerto when he was barely a teenager. In addition to the piano, he studied multiple instruments, audiovisual production and distinguished himself as a versatile singer. Karl is now principally known for his solo albums, his work with figure skating champions and his role in the international success of Just for Laughs Gags. Karl’s large music library is aired in over 100 countries throughout the world on prestigious networks such as ABC, BBC One, CBC, Disney Channel, Disney Channel Asia, Fox Japan, Indosiar, MediaCorp Channels 5 & 8, Telemundo, TF1 and Zee Café India.
After contributing his talents as a musician, composer and arranger to a number of musicals such as Nine, The Sound of Music and Noémia (an original creation), Karl decided to return to his solo career. In 2015 he founded the Karl Hugo Music record label, Musivarts Publishing, christened his recording studio Studio Chimay, created a complete website karlhugomusic.com and finally, launched Blue Sparkles, an instrumental album on which he performs 12 original compositions on the piano. With 17,000 fans on Facebook (French and English pages), Karl’s efforts were rewarded, and he began to think about a sequel: Red Sparkles.
Involved in the music used in the 2018 Winter Olympics, Karl chose this exciting time to launch his album Red Sparkles. In this new opus, just like in the previous one, Karl creates a very personal blend of romantic, modern classical (neo-classical) and popular music styles. He is accompanied by a classical orchestra, enhanced by the presence of an electric bass, drum kit and vocals on certain songs.
In September 2020, Karl Hugo successfully launched an instrumental single titled Your Last Kiss. Available on most digital platforms, this vibrant piano cello duet is an extended version of the music Karl composed for the latest free program of Olympic figure skating medalist Shoma Uno.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Karl Hugo brought comfort to his fans by uploading a moving music video. He chose to rearrange his composition Romantika and re-record it with the participation of passionate musicians of a string orchestra. Renamed Romantika Amo for the occasion, Karl, as usual, directed and edited this video which has both a modern style and a romantic sensibility.
On International Kissing Day, Karl Hugo launched the sequel of Your Last Kiss single, an ardent piano and cello composition titled Endless First Kiss. For the art cover of his new opus, Karl chose the sketch of The Next Ice Princess dress, designed and drawn by Josiane Lamond and highlighted by vivid watercolor, which illustrates the almost epic emotions love can sometimes produce.
Composed and performed by Karl Hugo for double world figure skating champion Kaori Sakamoto the single Lovation was released on May 26, 2023. Lovation is the combination of the words Love, Admiration and Action. Karl created this hymn to love, taking inspiration from both the dynamic and modern side of Kaori, and his deep respect for traditional values rooted in the challenges of today’s life. A great lover of watercolors, Karl chose the cherry blossom tree for his single cover, to illustrate the beauty of renewal in its most timeless form. As ever, the passionate pianist-composer is accompanied by cellos and a string orchestra.
Karl Hugo is proud to present his new single titled Twinkling Stars of Hope (輝く希望の星たち). During the Great East Japan earthquake (東日本大震災), city lights went out, revealing a comforting myriad of twinkling stars. Skater Yuzuru Hanyu and choreographer David Wilson suggested that Karl take inspiration from this event to create a hymn of hope that would serve as an overture to Notte Stellata, a show for the benefit of the victims of 3.11. It is with honor and pleasure that Karl Hugo composed and performed this shimmering music using piano, orchestra and voices complemented by taikos, shakuhachi and koto.
