Karl Engel toured internationally as a soloist with orchestras, a recitalist and a chamber music performer.
He also distinguished himself as an accompanist, often appearing in Lieder recitals with Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Hermann Prey, Peter Schreier and Brigitte Fassbaender.
Among his chamber music partners were the cellist Pablo Casals, the violinist Yehudi Menuhin and the Melos Quartet.
From 1958 to 1986 Karl Engel was Professor of piano at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hannover, Germany.
His son Till Engel (born 1951), is a pianist, and Professor at Folkwang Hochschule Essen, Germany.