  The exact solution for the thermodynamic and dynamic properties of the
infinite-dimensional multi-component Falicov-Kimball model for arbitrary
concentration of d- and f-electrons is presented. The emphasis is on a
descriptive derivation of important physical quantities by the equation of
motion technique. We provide a thorough discussion of the f-electron Green
function and of the susceptibility to spontaneous hybridization. The solutions
are used to illustrate different physical systems ranging from the
high-temperature phase of the YbInCu4 family of materials to an examination of
classical intermediate valence systems that can develop a spontaneous
hybridization at T=0.
