was born in Lutzk, Ukraine in 1960. He studied at the Kiev State Conservatory (1979-1986) where he graduated as accordionist, conductor and composer. He studied also with P.H. Diettrich, K. Huber, V. Globokar, M. Kopytman, E. Denissov and G. Stabler. He is a member of the Union of Composers of Ukraine and of the International Association of composers. As composer he aims not only to balance between east and west (like his contemporaries Alexander Schetinsky and Alexander Grinberg) but also to become part of a specifically Ukrainian musical/folk culture. Runchak’s music defies two myths about contemporary music: first, that it is impossible to listen to it and second that it is impossible to have it performed. Runchak’s music – although very contemporary in expression (from exotic arrangements of players, unusual combinations of instruments and strange, often comical names of compositions) – is beautiful to listen to and the average listener leaves his concert in a mood of peaceful contemplation. As for the second, while most contemporary composers dream of one or two performances of their works a year, Runchak is being performed non-stop all over the continent.  

wurde 1960 in Lutzk (Ukraine) geboren. Er studierte am Konservatorium in Kiew Komposition, Dirigieren und Akkordeon. 1984 gewann er den ersten Preis beim Internationalen Akkordeon-Wettbewerb. Weitere Studien bei P.H. Diettrich, K. Huber, V. Globokar, M. Kopytman, E. Denissov and G. Stabler. Er ist Mitglied der Union of Composers of Ukraine und der International Association of composers. Als Komponist strebt er danach (ähnlich wie seine Zeitgenossen Alexander Schetinsky and Alexander Grinberg), Ost und West zu verbinden, auch unter Einbeziehung der sehr speziellen Ukrainischen Musical- und Volksmusikkultur. Seine Kompositionen werden in vielen Ländern bei internationalen Musikfestivals aufgeführt. Als Dirigent setzt er sich besonders für die Verbreitung Neuer Musik ein.