  The partial density of vibrational states has been measured for Fe in
compressed FeO (w\"ustite) using nuclear resonant inelastic x-ray scattering.
Substantial changes have been observed in the overall shape of the density of
states close to the magnetic transiton around 20 GPa from the paramagnetic (low
pressure) to the antiferromagnetic (high pressure) state. Our data indicate a
substantial softening of the aggregate sound velocities far below the
transition, starting between 5 and 10 GPa. This is consistent with recent
radial x-ray diffraction measurements of the elastic constants in FeO. The
results indicate that strong magnetoelastic coupling in FeO is the driving
force behind the changes in the phonon spectrum of FeO.
