Australian critics ranked the 25 year-old Spivakovsky as "one of the foremost pianists of our time" and "probably the finest performer this current generation had heard." They also commented on his muscular build and immense physical strength. From Australian Musical News: "… a well set-up young man, abounding with vitality. It is quite unsafe to shake hands with him … he does not know his own strength … he has not a hand of abnormal size, but when he stiffens it the muscles bunch up at the back like a bundle of steel-bands." Spivakovsky fell in love with Australia and thoroughly enjoyed exploring its many attractions.