Eduard Stein (1818-1864) was a German conductor, composer and Music Director of the Loh-Orchester Sondershausen. Initially, he began to study theology at Leipzig University but under the influence of Heinrich Marschner and Felix Mendelssohn he abandoned this in favour of musical training. In January 1853 he was appointed Fürstlicher Hofkapellmeister in Sondershausen, a position he held until his death on 16 March 1864, at the age of 45 years.