Benjamin Britten is another of my faves. His modern choral works ran throughout my school days from the first Chapel Choir class my freshman year. He was also a lover of the old tunes of medieval Europe and loved to reset texts in Middle English. Here's a choice selection from the "Ceremony of Carols."
Balulaloww.aviby
j_najy The only thing better than a Middle English Christmas carol is one being redone by a twentieth century composer.
It's also fun to see the faces the kids make, wringing as much pathos from 1'15 as is possible.