Transition x has many appearances in Movement 1, although in different forms. This example bridges themes 1c and 2a. Notice the obvious correlation with theme 2c. Not enough to call a theme, transition x is still developed extensively and is found throughout the piece. The sheer repetition and extensive use makes transition x one of the most important musical ideas in this movement. Apart from the other example(s) of transition x is the inclusion of the 4 quarter notes in the fourth bar which set up a repeat of the transition in another key (C in this case). Brahms uses this transitional/modulatory method (via phrase-repetition) quite frequently in the piece. In fact, this creativity enables modulation to quite distant keys possible and this is taken to extremes in the development (where all 12 keys at one point are represented). The phrase-repetition technique (via the four note motive) is used in the same way to set up modulations in theme 2b. This link will take you to another example of transition x (ex. 1) or try transition y (ex. 1).
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