A ''softening'' of the high-frequency modes of the phonon spectrum is
detected under pressure. These modes correspond to breathing oxygen mo
des and to other vibrational modes of Cu-O. The obtained results expla
in the observed increase in the ratio 2 Delta/kT(c) within the framewo
rk of the strong electron-phonon interaction model. (C) 1997 American
Institute of Physics. [S1063-777X(97)00511-2].