Volodymyr Runchak

Volodymyr Runchak, born in 1960, is a Ukrainian composer, conductor and prize-winner of numerous international composition competitions. He composes for orchestra, ensembles, soloists and choirs and conducts the works of modern Ukrainian and international composers. Runchak organises festivals such as New Music in Ukraine and his works have been performed at international festivals for contemporary music. Performances of Runchak’s compositions have taken place in Kyiv, Munich, New York and Paris, been published in Germany, Italy, Poland and Belgium and recorded internationally. Runchak presented the radio broadcast New Music in Ukraine for three years. He has initiated performances of works by classical composers of the 20th century including Shostakovich, Varèse, Nono, Stockhausen, Ligeti and Berio. In his capacity as a conductor, he has given the premiere of over 400 contemporary compositions with ensembles such as his own chamber ensemble New Music in Ukraine which has issued 10 CDs. He has been guest conductor with leading orchestras in the Ukraine and on international stages and is the artistic director of several festivals for contemporary music such as Kharkiv Contemporary and the Ukrainian Day of the Accordion.