Botnen has been a soloist with a number of symphony orchestras both in Norway and in the US, playing under acclaimed maestros like Alan Gilbert, Arvid Jansons, Dmitri Kitayenko and Edward Serov.

As a solo recitalist and chamber musician he has concertized in the UK, US, Canada, China, Germany, Czech Republic, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

In 1993 Botnen was chosen to perform at the official opening of the Edvard Grieg Bicentennial Anniversary in Norway and on a tour of Asian capitals.

Botnen has been pivotal in the founding of and as artistic director of the annual Norwegian Hardingtonar Festival, focusing on the music of composer Geirr Tveitt.

His recordings of Tveitt's "Fifty Folk Tunes from Hardanger" as well as other piano-works, has been exceptionally well received by critics.