A commissioned work by Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) written for Reiko Honsyo, the soloist of the premiere of the composer’s piano concerto. “Chaînes”, or “chains” in English, means, according to Miyoshi, “the structural causality” binding the whole and the internal cause always binding the composer himself.

Miyoshi explained the work as follows: the whole prelude consists of three parts belonging to four categories. Each has “the chain of return, synthesis and correspondence”. The four “chaînettes” can be performed separately. Chaînettes IV contains the anagram of ‘CHAÎNES’. It is interesting that this anagram consists not of the typical tone-series of a motive, but instead the combination of the motive and the note at the pedal point.

Such a detailed description by the composer himself indicates that he elaborated the structure in great detail, as well as with much care. The close performance markings may represent Miyoshi’s thoughtful and serious attitude in composing the work.