Diepenbrock was not a musician by training. Brought up in a prosperous Catholic family, although he showed musical ability as a child, the expectation was that he would enter a university rather than a conservatory. And so he studied classics at the University of Amsterdam, gaining his doctorate cum laude in 1888 with a dissertation in Latin on the life of Seneca. The same year he became a teacher, a job which he held until 1894, and decided to devote himself to music. As a composer, he had been completely self-taught from an early age.
He created a musical idiom which, in a highly personal manner, combined 16th-century polyphony with Wagnerianchromaticism, to which in later years was added the impressionistic refinement that he encountered in Debussy's music.
As a conductor, he performed many contemporary works, including Gustav Mahler's Fourth Symphony (at the Concertgebouw) as well as works by Fauré and Debussy. Diepenbrock is one of the Dutch composers whose name is displayed on the first balcony of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw.
Throughout his life, Diepenbrock continued his interests in the wider cultural sphere, remaining a classics tutor and publishing works on literature, painting, politics, philosophy and religion. Indeed, during his lifetime his musical skills were often overlooked. Nonetheless, Diepenbrock was very much a respected figure within musical circles. He counted amongst his friends Mahler, Richard Strauss and Arnold Schoenberg.
Alphons Diepenbrock is related to Cardinal Melchior von Diepenbrock, who was his great uncle, as well as to a branch of the family that immigrated to America in 1879.
On 8 August 1895 in Rosmalen he married Lady Wilhelmina Elisabeth Cornelia Petronella de Jong van Beek en Donk.
Hans Christoph Begeman, Sinfonieorchester St. Gallen, Otto Tausk, Alphons Diepenbrock—Orchestral Songs, CPO 777 836-2 (2014)
La chanson de l’hypertrophique, RC 32 “C’est d’un’ maladie de coeur”
Roberta Alexander (sop.), Rudolf Jansen (piano), Alphons Diepenbrock—Songs 2, NM Classics 92051 (1996), Alphons Diepenbrock—Complete Songs, Brilliant Classics 96103 (2021)
Missa in die festo (1891, orchestrated version 1913)
Deniz Yilmaz, ten., Leo van Doeselaar, organ, men of the Netherlands Radio Choir, Sigvards Klava, cond., Alphons Diepenbrock—Anniversary Edition, Et'Cetera KTC 1435 (2012)
orchestrated version, Kyrie and Gloria, Elisabeth Lugt, sop., Martha van Kerkoff, alto, Tom Brand, tenor, Laurens Bogtman, bass, Netherlands Radio Choir, Toonkunst Choir Amsterdam, Apollo Choir Soest, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Bernard Haitink, cond. (1961), Alphons Diepenbrock—Anniversary Edition, Et'Cetera KTC 1435 (2012)
Reyzangen uit Gysbrecht van Aemstel for choir and orchestra (1892–95)
Maja Roodveldt, sop., Sophie Hoofboom, mezzo, Frank Hameleers, tenor, Henk van Heijnsbergen, bass, Netherlands Radio Choir, Netherlands Radio Symphony Orchestra, Ed Spanjaard, cond., Alphons Diepenbrock and the Golden Age, Composers Voice Classics CV 121 (2004); Alphons Diepenbrock—Anniversary Edition, Et'Cetera KTC 1435 (2012)
Hinüber wall’ ich (1894)
Roberta Alexander, sop., Rudolph Jenson, piano, Alphons Diepenbrock—Songs I, NM Classics 92050 (1992), Alphons Diepenbrock—Complete Songs, Brilliant Classics 96103 (2021)
Renee Defraiteeur, sop., Netherlands Radio Orchestra (Omroeporkest), Maurits van den Berg, cond., Alphons Diepenbrock—Anniversary Edition, Et'Cetera KTC 1435 (2012)
Roberta Alexander (sop.), Rudolf Jansen (piano), Alphons Diepenbrock—Songs 2, NM Classics 92051 (1996), Alphons Diepenbrock—Complete Songs, Brilliant Classics 96103 (2021)
Ik ben in eenzaamheid niet meer alleen, RC 41 (1898)
Roberta Alexander (sop.), Rudolf Jansen (piano), Alphons Diepenbrock—Songs 3, NM Classics 92052 (1996), Alphons Diepenbrock—Complete Songs, Brilliant Classics 96103 (2021)
Clair de lune, RC 43 Votre âme est un paysage choisi (1898, 1907)
Renee Defraiteeur, sop., Netherlands Radio Orchestra (Omroeporkest), Maurits van den Berg, cond., Alphons Diepenbrock—Anniversary Edition, Et'Cetera KTC 1435 (2012)
Roberta Alexander (sop.), Rudolf Jansen (piano), Alphons Diepenbrock—Songs 2, NM Classics 92051 (1996), Alphons Diepenbrock—Anniversary Edition, Et'Cetera KTC 1435 (2012), Alphons Diepenbrock—Complete Songs, Brilliant Classics 96103 (2021)
Wenige wissen das Geheimnis de Liebe (1898, 1902)
Christoph Hombert, ten., Het Residentie Orkest den Haag (Hague Philharmonic), Hans Vonk cond., Alphons Diepenbrock—Anniversary Edition, Et'Cetera KTC 1435 (2012)
Hymne an die Nacht (Novalis) (1899) (regarded by Gustav Mahler as Diepenbrock's best)
Nr. 1, Gehoben ist der Stein (1915 revision), Arleen Auger, sop., Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly, cond. (1990), Alphons Diepenbrock, Donemus Composers' Voice Recordings CV 50 (1995); Alphons Diepenbrock—Anniversary Edition, Et'Cetera KTC 1435 (2012)
Nr. 2, Muß immer der Morgen wiederkommen?, Linda Finnie, mezzo-sop., Het Residentie Orkest den Haag (Hague Philharmonic), Hans Vonk cond., Alphons Diepenbrock, Vol. 2, Symphonic Songs, Chandos 8878 (1990); Alphons Diepenbrock—Anniversary Edition, Et'Cetera KTC 1435 (2012); Brilliant Classics 93412 (2017)
Lydische Nacht(Lydian Night) (for spoken voice and orchestra) (Verhagen) (1913)
arranged as a symphonic poem by Eduard Reeser 1983, rev. 1992, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Hans Vonk cond. (1984), Anthology of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, vol. 5, 1980-1990, RCO Live 08005 (2009)
Berceuse, RC 112 “Le Seigneur a dit à son enfant” (1912)
Jard van Alexander (sop.), Rudolf Jansen (piano), Alphons Diepenbrock—Songs 2, NM Classics 92051 (1996), Alphons Diepenbrock—Complete Songs, Brilliant Classics 96103 (2021)
Elly Ameling (sop.), Richte van der Meer (cello), Dalton Baldwin (piano), Alphons Diepenbrock—Anniversary Edition, Et'Cetera KTC 1435 (2012)
L’invitation au voyage, RC 117 “Mon enfant, ma soeur” (1913)
