Career
Tønnesen made a sensational debut at age 17 in 1972, "A dazzling debut with hardly any parallel", as it was called in the Oslo newspaper. After 5 years of study in Switzerland, he was in 1977, with their positions both as artistic director of «Det Norske Kammerorkester», and as first concertmaster of the Oslo Filharmoniske Orkester. He also moves beyond the classical repertoire, including in collaboration with Terje Rypdal, are musically omnivores, and is among the leading violinists With a central position on the Norwegian musical scene.
He has toured in Europe, United States of America, China and the Soviet Union and during his career worked with musicians like Mstislav Rostropovich, Maurice André and James Galway.
He has also made solo appearances with all the Norwegian orchestras and many orchestras outside Norway. 1979: Griegprisen.