The today by far the best known composition of Karl Collan is Sylvian joululaulu or Sylvia's Christmas Song, from 1855. In this article you can listen to two very different arrangements of the classic, considered the most beautiful Finnish Christmas carol ever written.

Son of the vicar of Iisalmi, Karl Collan graduated with the highest overall grade from the Helsinki Lyceum in 1842. The very same day he enrolled at the University. At the time, every student was required to be a member of a student nation. Thanks to his high grades, Collan was granted free membership of the Savo-Karelian Nation.

After graduation, Karl Collan supported himself for several years primarily as teacher at a number of schools in Helsinki. He had teaching experience from his student days, as well as a diploma testifying to his practical teaching ability.

In his academic career Karl Collan’s greatest deeds were performed in connection with libraries. His relationship with libraries had already begun in 1852–1853, when he worked as amanuensis extraordinary at the University Library. In 1858, when the libraries of all the student nations were merged , Collan was appointed librarian of the new Student Library.

Besides being a teacher and librarian, Karl Collan was also an author, translator, and composer. Of all his roles, today he is nevertheless best remembered as a composer.